Court Imposes Bail Conditions on FAST Party Leader

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 4 February 2025 – District Court Senior Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga has imposed four bail conditions on the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party leader, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt when he appeared for first mention this morning.

The bail conditions include surrendering of all travel documents, signing at the police office on Fridays, prohibited from talking about the court case on social media and refrain from contacting police witnesses on this case.

In applying for bail, Prosecutor Taimalelagi Leinafo Strickland informed the Court that the Registrar at the time Laauli was charged did not accept the bail conditions.

The bail arguments
Taimalelagi pointed out that five other accused who have already pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and with the exception of Sam who is in custody, have been all been given bail conditions.

They are Member of Parliament Fepuleai Faimata Sua, Li’o Fa’ataumalama Auava, Lise Schmidt, Sivai Kepi and Samuelu (Sam) Sua.

Should Laauli be given no bail conditions, the others could apply for the same treatment.

She also highlighted the impact of Laauli’s social media attention that can impact on the public and the pending case.

Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao talking to reporters outside court.

On the surrendering of travel documents, she said this will deter the risk of the accused not appearing in Court.

Counsel Muriel Lui countered that her client is not a flight risk and is a known public figure.

“He lived all his life in Samoa, a prominent businessman and the leader of the biggest political party in Samoa,” said Lui.

She also reminded the Court that they have appeared 5 times before the court to apply for leave of jurisdiction for Fepuleai and Li’o to travel abroad and back.

“Prosecution has stopped opposing our applications for leave of jurisdiction,” said Lui.

Lui agreed to limit Laauli’s social media access to mentioning of the current case but not to disallow him from social media altogether.

She stated as the leader of a political party and with the election coming up, communication plays a big role in his leadership and one avenue he utilises is social media.

After hearing the arguments, Judge Saaga said she would impose bail conditions until Friday and she will give her reasons when the matter is recalled for re-mention and for Prosecution to finalise their charges.

Some of the supporters who joined in prayer before and after the court appearance.

The charges
Laauli is facing a total of 16 charges.

According to Taimalelagi, there are two sets of charges.

One set includes four charges relating to the five accused whose cases are pending for hearing in May.

The other 12 charges are new alternative charges which include harassment, defamation and issuing of insulting words.

The four charges have been finalised and Judge Atoa has given Prosecution Thursday this week to finalise the alternative charges.

The crowd
The court orderlies  had a hard time trying to control the crowd who turned up to support Laauli.

The matter was called in the District Court which has limited sitting space and only a few managed to get inside and the rest waited outside.

Prior to and after the mention, the crowd who were mainly FAST supporters, both locally and a few from overseas, joined in a brief prayer service in support of the party leader.