2 Aug 2011

American Samoa - five men due in court following assault of a referee

10:59 am on 2 August 2011

In American Samoa, five men from Nu'uuli village will appear in court this morning in connection with the beating of a Samoan rugby union referee.

Ponifasio Vasa and others were attacked during the final minutes of the shield game between the Nu'uuli rugby team and Avele.

The group arrested Misi Pelenato, brothers Selefuti and Fuatai Tago, Pene Wells and Iopu Siolo.

The Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, Leseiau Laumoli, says the Attorney General's Office did not seek warrants for three others which police identified during their investigation, probably because of insufficient evidence.

Meanwhile, referee Vasa has been discharged from the LBJ Hospital and will have his last check up on Wednesday before he heads back to Samoa.