AFP overstepped the mark with Finance Centre raids, says Vanuatu Finance Minister

(Radio New Zealand International)

Posted at 08:10 on 19 May, 2008 UTC
Vanuatu’s Finance Minister claims that Australian Federal Police overstepped the mark in carrying out raids on businesses in Port Vila earlier this month.
The raids were made on Vanuatu Finance Centre offices linked to the PKF accounting firm of Vanuatu-based businessman Robert Agius who was recently arrested in Perth in relation to alleged tax fraud.
Mr Agius’ arrest and the raids were part of a US$90 million money-laundering sting by the AFP which had lodged a request for mutual assistance with Vanuatu’s Attorney General.
The AFP raids were carried out in conjunction with Vanuatu police but the minister, Willie Jimmy, says only local police were authorised to do so by the Attorney General.
“PLAY AUDIO: VAN AFP RAIDS”
“It’s actually been cooked up. It is very well prepared by the AFP but they are using our own people to make an application to the court to get what they want. They are using our own police force and in fact the authorisation that was given by the Attorney General - The authorisation was given to Vanuatu Police Force, not the Australian Federal Police".