Samoa Police Chief warned by judges

Apia: Samoa Supreme Court judges have issued a strong warning for the Police and prisons services to bring to court several people being kept in prolonged custody. A senior court officer says the Police Commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil, may face a contempt of court charge if he continues to defy the orders.

Acting Chief Justice Vui Clarence Nelson told a senior prosecution lawyer that if by today the defendant in a particular case does not appear, he would move to the next step. The commissioner had insisted for the court to notify the Police three days ahead of any decision to bring the prisoners to appear before court.