9 Mar 2020

Samoan man to be extradited to NZ over sex charges

11:07 am on 9 March 2020
Court House Mulinuu

Court House Mulinuu Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

A district court judge in Samoa has accepted an extradition application for Tulisi Leiataua, who is facing 29 sexual charges in New Zealand.

The application was filed by the New Zealand Crown Law office on behalf of the government there.

Leiataua has been charged with nine counts of sexual violation by rape, three counts of indecent act of a young person, one count of indecent assault, 12 counts of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, and six charges of an indecent act on a child.

The court heard evidence and then ruled the charges are extradition offences of which the maximum penalties are not less than 12 months for each offence.