13 Sep 2012

Twenty-one villagers in Samoa accused of stone throwing get bail

6:24 am on 13 September 2012

In Samoa, twenty-one residents of Vaiusu village who were held in custody after a brawl with a neighbouring village have been released.

The prosecutor told the court yesterday the bail request was accepted after a letter from the Vaiusu village council.

The prosecutor says in the letter, the Vaiusu council says they had met with their neighbouring village Vaigaga and the conflict between the two villages has been resolved.

Twenty of the Vaiusu villagers are charged with three counts of throwing stones and one count each of being armed with a dangerous weapon.

One defendant, a 16 year-old is charged with assault and his case will be heard in the Youth Court.

A Vaiusu matai or chief told the court that they are all remorseful of their actions adding the matter will not happen again.

Judge Vaepule Vaemoa Va'ai accepted his apology and he told the defendants to seek legal representation.

The defendants have to surrender their travel documents and sign at the Faleata Police station every Thursday.

The accused will be back in court on the 10th of October.