Extradited Talalei Pauga now at Tanumalala Prison to appear in court next week

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 01 SEPTEMBER 2023: Australian citizen Talalelei Pauga has been extradited and is now in custody at the Tanumalala Prison and will appear in court next Monday.

He is the third defendant in the conspiracy to murder former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi of which two others have been sentenced to four years in jail.

Pauga arrived in Samoa today accompanied by Samoan police who the Australian police handed over the accused at the Brisbane airport.

The accused unsuccessfully fought against the Attorney General’s application to extradite him to stand trial in Samoa to answer to his alleged involvement in the conspiracy to murder.

The other two defendants, Malele Paulo and Lema’i Sione were sentenced to 4 years imprisonment after a panel of Assessors found them guilty of the offence. Lema’i Sione is appealing the decision.

Their trial was conducted behind closed doors and the media were not allowed to publish any information that might jeopardise Pauga’s upcoming trial.