A full investigation has been opened in Samoa into the alleged beating of a 45-year-old woman in police custody.
According to the Sunday Samoan, Faasalafa Sione's nose was broken during questioning at the police station last Thursday over the ongoing investigation into her daugther's mysterious death six years ago.
The assistant police commissioner, Leaupepe Fatu Pula, says Mrs Sione remains in hospital with a police officer by her bedside because she is in police custody but says family members have been allowed to talk to her.
He says an investigation into the alleged assault has been given priority.
"I cannot confirm the number of police officers involved. All I can say that allegations are that police are involved in the assault. We'll be investigating this matter fully and no one is above the law. We will find out after the conclusion of the investigations by our professional standards unit."
Leaupepe says the investigation is likely to take two to three weeks.
When the investigation into Faasalafa Sione's daughter's death began, the police went to Tiavea where they dug at certain sites looking for human bones.
