8 Dec 2010

Samoa Observer awaits progress in assassination probe

8:49 pm on 8 December 2010

A newspaper in Samoa says it hopes progress is being made into police investigations into an alleged plot to assassinate the Prime Minister and Chief Justice.

The Police Commissioner Lilomaiva Fou Taioala says an investigation is underway after threats were overheard last month against Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and Patu Falefatu Sapolu.

The threats appear to be linked to the assassination of the Works Minister Luagalau Levaula Kamu over a decade ago, which saw the conviction of those responsible, including two former government ministers, Leafa Vitale and the late Toi Aukuso.

The editor of the Samoa Observer, Mata'afa Keni Lesa, says the paper had been asked by police several weeks ago to hold the story so as to not scoop their investigations.

"We were told that some people had openly been making some threats to, in their words to blast the Prime Minister and other officials so we took it up with them [the police]. They asked us to sort of help them out with their investigation and we did that and we published the story on Sunday."

Mata'afa Keni Lesa