Australian authorities have arrested a man for allegedly planning to assassinate Samoa Prime Minister.
Samoa Observer reports the arrest of Talalelei Pauga was confirmed by the Australian government who said a request for extradition was made by the Samoan government.
“We confirm that Talalelei Pauga was arrested in Queensland on August 20, 2020 in response to an extradition request made by Samoa,” a spokesperson for the Australian Attorney General’s Department said.
“Talalelei Pauga is wanted to face prosecution in Samoa for the offence of conspiracy to murder.
“As the matter is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further.”
Pauga, who is also known as ninja, is one of four being accused of conspiring to murder Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, in August last year.
He was in the spotlight for throwing a pig’s head at the Samoan PM at a public meeting in Brisbane, Australia in 2018.
Former Assistant Attorney General, Magele Leone Mailo-Su’a, had filed an extradition order for Pauga in September.
King Faipopo, whose real name is Malele Paulo, Lemai Faioso Sione and Taualai Leiloa are the other defendants who have been charged.
