Pacific / Samoa

Samoan blogger jailed for defaming PM

17:22 pm on 25 October 2019

Malele Atofu, aka King Faipopo, sitting in court Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

A notorious Samoan blogger has been jailed for seven weeks for defaming the Prime Minister.

Malele Atofu Paulo, popularly known as King Faipopo, was sentenced in the Apia District Court today.

His lawyer, Unasa Iuni Sapolu, says he was convicted of criminal libel by Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papali'i.

Unasa says the judgement was unfair because King Faipopo had only called Prime Minister Tui'laepa Sailele Malielegaoi a coward.

"Aiake in Samoan means coward, so this guy said you're a coward and you're a liar and you are cunning and you killed me uncle.

"So that's all he said. And she [Judge Alalatoa] came down hard on him."

Unasa Iuni Sapolu says King Faipopo is considering an appeal.