Samoa police denied access to interview accused hitmen in person

Samoa's acting police commissioner has revealed that Vietnamese authorities have refused a request for in-person interviews with two Samoan nationals currently in custody in Ho Chi Minh City.

Joseph Vaa and Steve Tofa are accused of involvement in the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Lemalu Tovia outside a restaurant last month. Both men appeared in televised confessions, handcuffed and restrained, after Tovia died at the scene and an associate was seriously injured.

Leiataua Samueleu Afamasaga, Samoa's Acting Police Commissioner, explained that despite ongoing criminal proceedings in Vietnam, the request to visit and interview the accused was denied. "The only option available to us at this stage is to submit written questions," he stated.

The Samoan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted a formal diplomatic request for access to the men to assess their welfare and gather information relevant to the investigation. Assistance has also been sought from Australian and New Zealand diplomatic offices in Vietnam.

Back in Samoa, a multi-agency task force, led by the police and including representatives from immigration, customs, the central bank, and the Attorney General's office, is conducting its own investigation. This task force is collaborating with overseas partners to address both the criminal aspects and the well-being of the accused. Separately, three individuals in Samoa have been charged with bribery and providing false information related to the investigation, facing money laundering charges.

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The only option available to us at this stage is to submit written questions.