The former Solomon Islands attorney general Julian Moti QC has welcomed an apology from Australia for its part in his illegal deportation from Solomon Islands in 2007.
Solomon Islands Attorney General Julian Moti (far right). Photo: AFP
Mr Moti, who is an Australian citizen, was wanted on child sex charges and was extradited from Honiara in a process which Australian officials facilitated, knowing that it was unlawful under Solomon Islands law.
Once extradited, the High Court halted the prosecution of the case.
The Fiji Sun newspaper reported that Mr Moti spoke about the apology from Australia in Suva last week at a launch of a book about his trials entitled Redeeming Moti which was written by Susan Merrel.
Mr Moti said he was pleased to announce that the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia had settled his claim for redress and apologised to him for his unlawful rendition.
Mr Moti said the statement meant a lot to him, only because Australia rarely apologises to anyone for its official misdeeds.
