3 Aug 2018

Nine jailed in Samoa over road block

3:13 pm on 3 August 2018

A Samoa District Court judge, Fepulea'i Ameperosa Roma, has sentenced nine of eleven Luatuanuu men to jail after they pleaded guilty to rioting.

Some of the nine jailed after Luatuanuu road block

Some of the nine jailed after Luatuanuu road block Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

The group also faced charges of disorderly conduct, obstructing the road, carrying dangerous weapon, throwing stones and using threatening language when they blocked the Luatuanuu road in March.

Eight of the men were jailed for six months for rioting while one was sentenced to six weeks in prison.

The oldest of the defendants, a 59-year-old village matai and a 35-year-old man, were convicted for using threatening words and disorderly conduct - they have been ordered to pay costs.

The police had filed the charges after several youths from Luatuanuu village blocked the road.

The unlawful action also saw police cars being hit with stones and several police injured.