Vietnam Authorities Decline Samoa’s Request to Meet 2 Murder Suspects

By Jeannie Penehuro/

APIA, SAMOA – 23 June 2026 – The Acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga has confirmed that the Samoa government’s request to meet with two suspects currently held in custody by police in Vietnam for murder has been declined by the Vietnamese authorities.

Leiataua said an official request was sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, asking Vietnam to allow Samoan officials to meet with two suspects to ensure the suspects’ welfare while they are in Vietnam.

However, Leiataua confirmed that Vietnam has declined a face-to-face meeting.

“It is very hard to gain any help at this moment. They will not accept an official visit or a face-to-face interview,” Leiataua said.

He added that Samoa had asked the Vietnamese police commissioner for permission for Samoa police to participate in the ongoing investigations in Vietnam, but the request was denied.

Vietnam only agreed to answer questions in writing, Leiataua confirmed that they had submitted those questions last week.

The same week the murder occurred, Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade sent an application letter to Vietnam to request a meeting with officials and to discuss the welfare of the two suspects.

Leiataua said that since the murder incident on 21 May 2026, Samoa police have been actively investigating the case.

The investigation involves multiple government departments working together, including Immigration, Customs, the Central Bank, the Attorney General’s Office, and Police.

“Our main concern is not only helping the suspects, Joseph Va’a and Steve Tafia, but also obtaining information about the investigation,” Leiataua said

“We want to ensure that the suspects will answer questions about possible connections to the crime in Samoa,” he added.

Currently, three suspects have been arrested in Samoa in connection with the case.

Police confirm that all three suspects are charged with bribery and providing false information to police.

The three suspects appeared in court this morning.

Police have also been in contact with the suspects’ families who have been kept informed about the ongoing investigation.