The five perpetrators of horrific acts of violence against a woman while she was tied to a steel pole have been named by police as “family members of a well known criminal in Samoa” although no arrests are understood to have been made as of press time.
The disturbing video circulating on social media shows a woman being physically assaulted with a wooden plank while another person is tying her to a pole and still another is seen cutting her hair with a pair of scissors.
Police say the assault took place on Friday 31st October and the victim finally reported the incident to police on the 5th of November.
The police issued a public statement on their Facebook page on Wednesday 12th November, a week later, after a video of the attack was shared widely on social media.
The attackers have been identified as three women and two men, all relatives of the victim’s husband.
The victim was attacked in her own home by her in-laws. A big woman is heard in the video telling the victim to be still as she takes a scissors to her head.
“Aua e ke mogoi” (Don’t move)
“E oki ou lima?” (You want me to cut your hands?) as the woman is seen trying to shield her head with her hands.
The attackers themselves filmed the incident and circulated it on social media with allegations of infidelity to justify their actions.
Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga said the suspects are known to police however an arrest had not been made by Wednesday 12th a whole week after it was reported.
Leiataua says “police will proceed with arrests if the suspects family do not cooperate.”
In the media release Police say the woman is safe and under the care of the Samoa Victim Support Group.
“We wish to inform the public that the matter has been reported to Police, and the victim seen in the video is now safely sheltered under police care. Officers are currently working to locate those involved as part of the ongoing investigation.’
Police have called for members of the public to refrain from sharing or reposting the video out of respect for the victim and to avoid interfering with the ongoing investigation.
“If you have any information that may assist, please contact the Samoa Police immediately on 📞 22222 or visit your nearest Police Station.”
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