SAMOA’S Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has been charged over comments he allegedly made about Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt during a recent press conference.
Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga told the Samoa Observer the charges relate to defamation and harassment using electronic communication.
Tuilaepa’s lawyer, Meleisea Mathew Lemisio, said his client faces five new charges under sections 117A and 219 of the Crimes Act 2013.
Tuilaepa was charged on Thursday after holding a press conference with local media earlier that day and was released on bail.
The charges relate to comments allegedly made during a press conference on August 6.
The latest case follows an earlier defamation matter involving Tuilaepa, who appeared in court in April over allegations brought by Education Minister Aiono Alec Ekeroma and Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa.
The District Court subsequently ordered Tuilaepa not to make further social media comments about the two.
Under section 117A, publishing false information with the intention of harming another person’s reputation carries a maximum penalty of 175 penalty units or three months’ imprisonment.
Section 219, which covers certain forms of electronic harassment and intimidation, carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
Source: Samoa Observer
