2019 Samoa assassination plot

Though motives have not yet been established, Samoan police initially arrested three men.[1] The three of them appeared in an Apia court on September 9, 2019, where two of them entered not-guilty pleas, while the other pleaded guilty.[2] As of September 9, Samoa is working to extradite Talalelei Pauga from Australia in connection to the plot.[3]

Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi in 2018

2019 plot

On August 16, 2019 police stated to the media they had arrested three people on charges of conspiracy to commit murder.[1]

Since motivations have yet to be established, security surrounding Malielagoi tightened up, with Australia taking further steps to protect him while on a visit to the country on September 8, 2019.[4]

On September 9, 2019, Leiloa, Paulo and Sione appeared in court for the first time whilst Paulo and Sione entered a not-guilty plea.


On October 30, 2019, the Supreme Court of Samoa approved the closed court bail hearings for the two defendants in the case and they will have their hearings on November 30.[5]

On February 28, 2020 both defendants were granted bail with some strict conditions. They are due to appear in court March 2 for a hearing date to be set.[6]

On July 23, 2020, the Supreme Court denied a return to Australia to Sione and Paulo, for the trial, which is set for November.[7]

As part of a push to implement Samoan customary law however, section 9 of the Crimes Act in Samoa prohibits persons from being convicted of the offence of conspiracy to murder [8]

Change and re-change of plea of Taualai Leiloa

However due to be sentenced on September 30, his sentencing was postponed until October 14, 2019. When Taualai Leiloa appeared before the Court to be sentenced, the prosecution asked the judge that Leiloa have a lawyer to represent him. The judge agreed due to the seriousness of the charges against him. However, Leiloa alleged he couldn't afford a lawyer, for which his sentence was postponed until November 1 while they seek legal counsel for him.[9][10]

On November 1, 2019, when he was due to be sentenced, Leiloa asked the judge to change his plea from guilty to not-guilty, after being advised by his lawyer.[11]

See also

Notes

    References
    1. "Three men charged in connection with plot to assassinate Samoa PM" (RNZ). 16 August 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
    2. "Man pleads guilty to conspiring to assassinate Samoa PM". RNZ. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
    3. "Samoan police try to extradite man from Australia in connection with PM's assassination plot". Xinhua. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
    4. "TIGHT PM SECURITY WHILE IN AUSTRALIA". News Line Samoa. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
    5. "Samoa's highest court approves closed bail hearing". RNZ. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
    6. "Samoa PM assassination plot accused granted bail". RNZ. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
    7. "Samoa assassination plot accused denied Australian return". RNZ. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
    8. <https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=93579&p_country=WSM&p_classification=01.04/
    9. "CONFESSED MURDER CONSPIRATOR CANNOT AFFORD LAWYER". NewsLineSamoa. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
    10. "Man Who Pleaded Guilty to Conspiracy to Assassinate Samoa PM Directed to Seek Legal Counsel". SamoaGlobalNews. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
    11. "Man who admitted conspiracy to kill Samoan PM to change plea". RNZ.
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