Pacific / Samoa

Samoa police handle social media threat against PM

19:39 pm on 16 February 2019

The police in Samoa are investigating a threat made against the life of the prime minister on social media

The threat was posted by Saute Sapolu, a Samoan man living in the United States.

The threat was made in a video that went viral in Samoa before being taken down by police.

Mr Sapolu is a brother of the Samoa based lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu, who condemned the threat and called for the prime minister to be respected.

In his weekly radio interview, Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said the police were communicating with US authorities on the matter.

Tuila'epa said the person who made the threat should be considered a terrorist by the US and deported.

Samoa PM and Police Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegoai Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia