Opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was charged on Thursday over comments he allegedly made about Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt during a previous press conference.
In an interview with the Samoa Observer on Friday morning, the Acting Police Commissioner, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga, said the charges relate to defamation and harassment utilising electronic communication. Tuilaepa’s lawyer, Meleisea Mathew Lemisio, told the Samoa Observer that his client faces five new charges under sections 117A and 219 of the Crimes Act 2013.
Tuilaepa held a press conference with local media on Thursday morning. He was charged later in the afternoon. He was released on bail later the same day. The Samoa Observer understands that Tuilaepa's comments about Laaulialemalietoa were made at his press conference last Thursday, 6th August 2026.
The latest charges follow an earlier defamation case involving the opposition leader. In April, the District Court ordered Tuilaepa not to make further social media comments about Education Minister Aiono Alec Ekeroma and Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt.
Tuilaepa had appeared in court that month to answer allegations of defamation brought by Aiono and Laaulialemalietoa.
