Australia will arrest Chinese officers if act aggressively during Canberra torch relay

Melbourne, Apr.16 : Chinese paramilitary officers will be arrested if they "laid a hand" on anybody during the Canberra leg of the Olympic torch relay, organisers of the event in Australia said on Wednesday.

The officers' only responsibility will be to re-light the torch if it is extinguished at any stage.

Chairman of the Canberra relay taskforce Ted Quinlan says the so-called torch attendants would have no responsibility for security.

"The answer is no they won't and, in fact, they could be subject to arrest in fact if they laid a hand on somebody," he told ABC Radio.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said security would be the responsibility of the Australian Federal Police.

"The only role that they - the Chinese officials - will play will be to light the torch should it be extinguished and that will be the sole role that they will play in these events," McClelland told ABC Radio.

The army is not expected to play a role in security.

ANI