25 Apr 2003

Registered Samoan nurse pleads not guilty to abortion charges

3:30 pm on 25 April 2003

A registered nurse in Samoa accused of conducting abortions has pleaded not guilty with her co-defendants.

The Health Department is yet to reveal where the abortions were conducted or how many were carried out.

32-year-old Akalita Apelu, a registered nurse at the national Tupua Tamasese Meaola Hospital, pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of performing illegal abortions.

Three other women are charged with aiding and inciting her to procure a miscarriage, while two others are accused of supplying instruments intended for an abortion.

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