Security Around the Prime Minister Should Be Increased

"There are concerns for the safety of the Prime Minister as well as the Police Commissioner who are both allegedly threatened on the evidence.”

Press Release

February 29, 2020

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Screenshot_20200229-071441_Facebook — PM Tuilaepa practicing his archery outside his home

GOVT. PRESS SECRETARIAT; Tightened security measures for Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi are in place in response to the Supreme Court ruling today to grant bail for Lemai Faioso Sione and Malele Paulo, the two men accused of plotting to assassinate the Prime Minister.

Lemai and Malele Paulo outside Court after bail had been granted

Presiding over the bail hearing Supreme Court Justice Tafaoimalo granted bail to the two defendants who have been in custidy since September last year.

The bail conditions imposed by the Court include;
• prohibiting any post anything related to this case on social media
• not to have any contact with an alleged conspirator overseas namely Tala Pauga.
• not to approach or associate or have any contact with the alleged victim, and any police witnesses.
• sign in with police twice a week.

Tala Pauga and Malele Paulo outside Samoa’s District Court last year.

Responding to questions regarding the Court ruling, Attorney General Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff says the charges are serious and that both the Prime Minister and the Commissioner of Police are targets to the alleged conspiracy.

“There are concerns for the safety of the Prime Minister as well as the Police Commissioner who are both allegedly threatened on the evidence.”

“I spoke to Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil to advise him that security around the Hon. Prime Minister should be increased, as the evidence on file speaks to alleged incidents of armed scoping of him both at the PM’s home, and in public”.

The Commissioner has agreed to take the actions required”.

“The charges in the matter are still live and the prosecution will continue”.

The Attorney General says their office has not ruled out appealing the decision.

“We will in the meantime ireview the bail decision, as to whether it is appealable while we take this further step of increasing all security measures.”