By Staff Writer
A Samoan man is to appear in 2-weeks’ time in the Auckland Court in New Zealand for alleged threats of deadly violence on the former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
The criminal charges relate to an online ranting in Samoan where a ‘bullet in the head’ was among other serious acts of violence the middle-aged man threatened.
He warned also of setting his Vaimoso village relatives upon the victim and his family at neighbouring Vailoa village.
The man boasted about being the person behind the warning gunshot at a roadblock last year in Savai’i, to warn off the HRPP protest motorcade from driving around the island.
His online ranting, emphasized by loud, angry, swearing, claimed Tuilaepa supposedly made insulting remarks against his family.
No mention of the offending comments or his family name were mentioned.
An earlier court hearing on bail conditions brought against the man, ruled that he is not to have any direct or indirect contacts with Tuilaepa as the victim.
He is not to threaten or use violence against anyone or anything.
No attempt be made to leave New Zealand and he is to surrender his passport to the Registrar of the Auckland Court and not apply for travel documents.
The upcoming court hearing scheduled for 10 October 2022 will hear if the man pleads guilty or not guilty to the charges.
A not guilty plea by the man could lead to a long court process.
There has been no comment so far from the former Samoan leader on the threats against him and his family.