Samoan Men

Police said the men were aged in the 30s and 40s and were from the same family.

The two bodies were recovered from the Manawatū River on Sunday afternoon.

Police received reports just after 5.30pm on Sunday that two men who were swimming in the river near Awapuni were missing.

Searchers recovered the men’s bodies a short time later at a nearby location just before dark.

Police are making enquires in relation to the deaths on behalf of the coroner, who will release their findings in due course.

The Samoa Observer reports the second defendant was handed a two-year suspended sentence.

The pair were charged with disorderly behaviour and had also been accused of setting up a roadblock at Salelologa that effectively stopped a planned Human Rights Protection Party vehicle rally around Savaii in August.

HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi called off the rally for safety reasons after gunshots were heard at the roadblock.

Two matai of Sasina village have also been charged by police for setting up a separate roadblock on the same day at their village.