12 Sep 2016

Samoa's suspended police chief back in court

8:26 am on 12 September 2016

The case against Samoa's suspended Police Commissioner is to be heard in court again today.

Fuiavailili Egon Keil is facing four criminal charges over an unlawful arrest last year.

Samoa's Police Commissioner Egon Keil

Samoa's Police Commissioner Egon Keil Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

He has been charged with perjury, unlawful detention, providing false statements, and disorderly conduct.

RNZ International's correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said the police chief has yet to make a plea with a civil suit over the arrest also pending.

"The Prosecution office is going to file a written response to the defence application that was heard in the first mention, for these criminal charges to be put aside and have the civil case which is a lawsuit against the Police Commissioner, the Minister of Police and the Ministry of Police to be heard first in the civil court before the criminal charges will be heard," he said.

"So we'll have to find out from this week's hearing what the next step of this case will be."

Director of the Public Prosecution office in Samoa, Mauga Precious Chang

Director of the Public Prosecution office in Samoa, Mauga Precious Chang. Photo: supplied / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

The Director of Public Prosecutions Mauga Precious Chang was also suspended by Samoa's cabinet over traffic charges including negligent driving causing injury and dangerous driving.

Autagavaia said Ms Chang is due to is to appear in the District Court tomorrow.

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