Samoa’s Minister of Police, Sala Fata Pinati, says the arrest of the Police Commissioner has nothing to do with himself, or his ministerial position.
Fuiavailili Egon Keil was arrested on Monday and faces seven criminal counts including one of inciting to murder.
Cabinet confirmed that assistant police commissioner Samoa Mulinuu Mulinuu had been suspended.
The suspension is because government was not informed that Fuiavailili was to be arrested on Monday, according to RNZI correspondent Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia.
A Commission of Inquiry has been called to review the Police Department as well as Mulinuu’s conduct and performance as a police officer.
Sala says the independence of the law enforced by the police must be independent.
Autagavaia says Sala will address the constabulary and is expected to tell officers to carry on with their normal duties without fear or favour and to make sure they follow the rule of law.
