FAST to ask Samoa judges to recognise impromptu swearing in rnz.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rnz.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Samoa s police commissioner has received a letter from the caretaker government requesting criminal charges be laid against leaders of the election winning Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party and its legal advisers.
Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil said he received a letter signed by the caretaker Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) member for Faleata West, Leala ilepule Rimoni Aiafi.
Samoa Police Chief Fuiavailili Egon Keil
Photo: RNZ Pacific/Monica Miller
Fuiavailili confirmed to
RNZ Pacific the complaint related to FAST s impromptu swearing-in outside parliament on 24 May, which the Supreme Court last week ruled was not legal because of the Head of State s absence.
Leala ilepule told the
Samoa Observer his reason for writing to the commissioner, on behalf of the HRPP, was to give notice of complaint with regard to the recent Supreme Court ruling. “The court clearly stated that the 24 May 2021 swearing in under the tent outside Parliament by FAST party members [and] their legal advisers are unconstitutional, unlawful and therefore deemed void and of no effect.” “I respectfully, lodged a formal police complaint against Matafeo George Latu and Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu given that they were instrumental and took the lead in advising the FAST party leaders and members to conduct the unlawful swearing in ceremony.”
The Fiji Times » Samoa police asked to move against FAST fijitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fijitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The head of state of Samoa, Tuimalealiifano Va aletoa Sualauvi II.
Photo: Government of Samoa
Samoa s FAST party holds 26 seats, to the HRPP s 21 seats. But there are more electoral petitions to come.
Earlier this week, the Head of State issued a proclamation claiming the Supreme Court had usurped his powers by ordering parliament to sit; and that the Court had shown flagrant disregard, and disrespect, of the powers of the Head of State.
That came after the Supreme Court ruled parliament must sit by Monday 5 June, and warned any attempt to obstruct that sitting would be considered as contempt of court and parliament.