The social media blogger King Faipopo has pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal libel.
The Samoa Observer reports the blogger, known as Malele Atofu Paulo changed his plea yesterday after prosecution withdrew 14 charges of criminal libel and harassment.
Attorney General Lemalu Herman Retzlaff, the lead prosecutior, told the court they would be proceeding with one charge in relation to a social media post by Paulo in May 2019.
Lemalu said that the withdrawal of all the other charges are because the one remaining count “captures the essence of all the other charges”.
He again proposed a “restorative justice” meeting between the complainant and the defendant.
“I can indicate from the bar there have been many discussions from the complainant personally to meet with the defendant,” said Lemalu.
Presiding District Court Judge Alalatoa Rosella Viane Papalii ordered a meeting on Thusday to discuss the timing of the restorative justice meeting between Malele and complainant, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
Paulo is to be sentenced August 8.
