2 Oct 2008

Auckland lawyer in Samoa pleads not guilty to obstruction and using insulting words

11:08 am on 2 October 2008

A Samoan lawyer based in New Zealand, Iuni Sapolu, has entered not guilty pleas to five charges resulting from a police raid on her family's property in Samoa last week.

Ms Sapolu appeared in the Samoa District Court on Wednesday

The charges against Ms Sapolu include two of obstruction and three of using insulting language, but three other, similar charges were dropped.

All the alleged offences relate to a police raid on the lawyer's family property and business last week

The court has granted leave for the defendant to leave Samoa for New Zealand.

Her case is to be heard in January.

The lawyer has claimed the police did not find any evidence to warrant a criminal charge against her as a result of the raid.

She says the raid was instigated by the mayor of a nearby village.