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Bail denied for Samoa murder suspect

PACIFIC NEWS BRIEFS
compiled by Samoa News staff

Apia, SAMOA —  Supreme Court Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren has denied the bail application for an 18-year-old murder defendant. 

Ietitaia Misialofa of Fogasavai’i is accused in the murder of a man from Vailoa last month.  The deceased was found dead on the side of the road with severe injuries to his head. 

The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to murder and being armed with a dangerous weapon, sought the Court’s discretion to be released on bail. 

Afamasaga Michael So’onalole represents the defendant, while prosecuting the case is Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa. 

Afamasaga noted the defendant has been in custody since 26 March 2018. He was working for a pork bun business at Vailoa when the incident happened. Justice Tafaoimalo denied bail, noting “the seriousness of the crime with the highest penalty of mandatory life imprisonment. 

“There is strong evidence including the defendant’s cautions statement in which he admits to the crime. 

“I find relevant affidavit from the family of the deceased in which they are still angry and hurt and there is a risk to the safety of the defendant.

“Also the court considers the fact that a life was lost and deceased suffered brutal injuries and therefore bail is denied,” ruled Justice Tafaoimalo. 

(Source: Samoa Observer)

MEDIA CENSORSHIP CONDEMNED AS FIJI TIMES ACQUITTED

Suva, FIJI — The not guilty verdict in the Fiji Times sedition trial has been called a victory for free speech but it's feared the legacy of media censorship remains.

The High Court in Fiji ruled yesterday that the newspaper, its publisher, two editors and a letter writer were not guilty of sedition.

The charges were brought after the government complained that a letter the newspaper published could incite hostility towards the country's minority Muslim population.

Charges of inciting communal hatred filed against the four men and the newspaper in 2016 were amended last year to sedition, carrying a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

The letter writer Josaia Waqabaca’s lawyer, Aman Ravindra-Singh said the not guilty verdict was a victory for the people of Fiji.

"This is a victory for freedom of speech and expression and the right to have freedom of speech and expression for the people of Fiji," he said.

"It has become quite obvious that the government of Fiji has continued to charge people with sedition to suppress freedom of speech and also political dissent. This particular case and outcome is a huge victory for the people of Fiji."

Fiji Times general manager and publisher Hank Arts said the verdict was a relief and a victory for the integrity of the newspaper, although it came at great cost.

The publisher said the newspaper had not been changed because of the charges and would not be changed by the verdict.

"Some organizations may not always like what we print but it's always balanced. That to me shows what the Fiji Times is about, it's balance and credibility.

"It hasn't changed in 150 years and the editor-in-chief and myself feel that it'll do what it's always done, be the paper of record and the paper of balance," Mr Arts said.

(Source: RNZI)

MAN WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS STRAPPED TO HIS BODY ARRESTED

Nuku'alofa, TONGA — Tongan Police have arrested a 54-year old man attempting to smuggle thousands of dollars in cash out of the country.

Police said the man was caught at Fua'amotu International Airport and would be tried at the Fasi Magistrate Court.

Matangi Tonga reported the man broke Tongan law by not declaring the amount of cash he was leaving with.

He was reported to have had at least $US 50,000 and $AUS 10,000 strapped to his body with tape.

(Source: RNZI)

INTERIOR SUPPORTS CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP

Washington, D.C. — Doug Domenech, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular and International Affairs, this week announced $200,000 to fund the second half of the 2018-2020 National Coral Reef Management Fellowship Program in four U.S. territories.  This highly selective graduate-level program has already placed fellows in American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

 “Secretary Zinke is a strong advocate for sustainably developing and protecting our natural resources.  Finding that balance is critical in island economies and the Coral Reef Fellows provide important support towards coral reef and natural resource management in each island area,” said Domenech.  “This program is designed to meet unique needs as identified by each territory and provide valuable experience for effective local coral reef ecosystem management.” 

This week’s funding provides for the second year of the 2018-2020 program and supplements an earlier grant of $200,000 announced in July 2017.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides funding to place additional fellows in Hawaii, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force members and the All Islands Task Force have identified the Coral Fellows program as one of its highest priorities for funding.  The National Coral Reef Institute of Nova Southeastern University in Florida administers the program.

(Source: DOI media release)

GAGANA SAMOA FEATURES AT SCHOOL SPEECH COMPETITION

Apia, SAMOA — Samoan Language was a category featured for the first time in the annual speech competition at Vaiala Beach School.

The Senior Syndicate Speech finals took place at the school with 20 senior students participating yesterday. In the Gagana Samoa category, the topic of Aganuu FaaSamoa and child vendors in Samoa were highlighted.

 Andrina Burkhart took the first prize for her speech topic “O le Aganuu FaaSamoa” and received the “Brave Storm” trophy, which was sponsored by Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson.

Environmental concerns, social issues and Samoan identity were the main themes in the English category with the young students exploring, questioning and affirming their identity and place in an increasingly culturally diverse Samoa.

A subject that deeply affected the children were child vendors in Samoa and some of the speeches were centered on their perspective of why this problem prevails and what they think the solution should be.

 Year 5 student, Maya Meredith spoke passionately about her view that a lack of access to education is the root cause of poverty and child vendors is a symptom of it.

She pointed out that her inspiration behind her speech were the stories she read in the Samoa Observer newspaper and for her visual aid she displayed several pages of the Samoa Observer’s Village Voice section.

Principal, Lorraine Williams said Samoa is the focus for this term at their school and culminates with the “Seki a Samoa week” when the school will be marching in the Independence parade.

(Source: Samoa Observer)