29 Mar 2012

Two men in Samoa face arson charges

10:50 am on 29 March 2012

In Samoa, two men from the village of Solosolo have been charged in relation with a fire two months ago that burned down the home of a chief from Solosolo Leota Ituau Ale.

Assistant Police Commissioner Leaupepe Fatu Pula said the two will appear in court on April 17 to answer to charges of arson.

He said the suspects are untitled men of the village and are the only ones implicated in the fire.

The home of Leota Ituau Ale was burned down after a Lands and Titles Court ruled that a village council ban on Leota cannot remain in effect.

Leota estimates the damage to his house and belongings to be around 300,000 US dollars.