Prosecutors consider evidence against Leo

AAP

South Australia's chief prosecutor says he now has a brief of evidence to assess the strength of the case against so-called cult leader Rocco Leo.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Pallaras said police had supplied his office with about 200 pages of material in addition to two earlier statements.

The information relates to 126 counts of deception alleged against Leo, after the former leader of the Agape Ministries fled overseas last year.

Advertisement: Story continues below

Leo also faces civil action from two former followers who claim they were tricked into handing over about $1.5 million.

He was arrested in Fiji last month for visa breaches and is still being held in custody.

After he fled Australia, police raided several of the Agape Ministries' properties in Adelaide seizing guns, detonators and 35,000 rounds of ammunition.

Mr Pallaras said the new material from police was being considered by prosecutors.

"We now have a brief of evidence upon which the strength of the case can be assessed," he told AAP on Thursday.

"I understand that as part of the process of assessing the strength of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses, one or more of the witnesses may need to be spoken to by our prosecutors.

"This will be done as quickly as possible and, if I am advised that a reasonable prospect of conviction is thought to exist on the material presented to us, then I will determine our attitude to extradition and advise SAPOL (SA Police) without delay."

Earlier this week, South Australian independent Senator Nick Xenophon was critical of the delay in moving to have Leo brought back to Australia.

He released letters he had received from Fiji Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Bainimarama who indicated Fiji would assist with any application for extradition.

But the Fiji leader said no such request had been made.

Senator Xenophon said it beggared belief that a man facing criminal charges was not being brought to justice because South Australian authorities had not yet called for his extradition.

In a statement on Thursday, police said they had provided a full brief of evidence to the DPP and had requested confirmation that Leo would be prosecuted if extradited or deported to Australia.

"Once that advice is received SAPOL will continue to consult with state and commonwealth attorneys-general on this issue," they said.