Pacific / Samoa

Village council alerted police to alleged plot to assasinate Samoa PM

13:33 pm on 14 August 2019

The high ranking chief of Lauli'i village in Samoa, Leniu Vainiu Te'o, has spoken out on the alleged plot to assassinate the Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi.

Three people are involved in the allegations - two from Lauli'i and a man from another village married to a woman from Lauli'i.

Samoa's PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Leniu said the trio were handed over to the police two days ago after the village council met to discuss the plot allegations on Monday.

He said they then instructed the three people implicated to be brought to the council for questioning after which police were called in.

He is calling on other village councils to support the police and the government's effort to eliminate criminal activities that would disrupt the peace of the country.

Meanwhile the police are still carrying out the investigation and no one has yet been charged.

The Lauli'i village chief said the firearms that were allegedly to be used to carry out the assassination have been found in the village.