A crowd of FAST supporters flocked to Samoa’s courthouse to show their support of its Party Chairman and Leader, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt as he made his first court appearance today.
It was an emotional day for the supporters with many dressed in red as they prayed for their leader before heading into the District Court room in Mulinu'u.
District Court Judge, Talasa Saaga Atoa was the presiding judge who said 16 charges were before the court however, only four have been finalized.
Judge Saaga Atoa told prosecutor Leinafo Taimalelagi Strickland that the prosecution has until Thursday to finalise all the charges.
Ms Strickland also mentioned the imposed bail conditions on La'auli which was argued by La'auli’s lawyer, Muriel Lui that her client was not a threat or flight risk to surrender his travel documents.
However, the District Court imposed bail conditions such as signing with the Police station every Friday before 4 pm, surrendering his travel documents, refrain from commenting on social media about his case, and avoid contacting any witnesses.
The matter will be called again this Friday for court mention.
Before La’auli’s court appearance, police revealed that he faces multiple charges, including three counts of conspiracy or attempting to defeat or pervert the course of justice, one count of conspiracy to commit an offence (fabricating evidence), one count of harassment using electronic communication, three counts of making false statements causing reputational harm, and two counts of using insulting language intended to provoke a breach of the peace. The charges were filed by an overseas individual based in Australia and two local police officers who claim they were defamed online by the former cabinet minister.
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