Samoa PM assassination

The Australian government said Talalelei Pauga was arrested in Queensland on 20 August in response to an extradition request made from Samoa.

The government said Pauga was wanted to face prosecution in Samoa for the offence of conspiracy to murder.

The Samoa Observer newspaper reported Pauga, who was also known as 'ninja', was one of four being accused of conspiring to murder Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi in August 2019.

He also hit headlines for throwing a pig's head at Tuila'epa at a 2018 Brisbane meeting.

Taualai Leiloa, Malele Atofu Paulo and Lema'i Faioso Sione appeared in court together for the first time today.

Leiloa, from Laulii village, is accused of conspiring to commit murder with Talalelei Pauga, who resides in Australia, to assassinate Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

Police claim this is related to a time period between April and August this year.

Leiloa, who pleaded guilty, will be sentenced on the 30 September but a hearing date for Mr Paulo, also known as King Faipopo, and Mr Sione has yet to be confirmed.