Police have charged 12 men from Lefagaoalii village including one with attempted murder in connection to a man who was hog-tied and carried out of his home for defying the village. 

Those being charged include six matai and six untitled men who have been released on bail pending their Court appearance, according to the Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo. 

One of the six matai is facing a more serious charge of attempted murder. He was identified by the Police from a video, where a man is heard calling for an umu to be prepared, so the man who is being hog-tied will be "cooked". 

Auapaau said the man facing the attempted murder charge and causing injury is now in custody at the Tanumalala Prison and is scheduled to appear before the Supreme Court next Monday. 

“The other men are facing lesser charges of assault, armed with dangerous weapon and Police are considering additional charges,” said the Police Commissioner. “Those other men have been released on bail and scheduled to appear at the Tuasivi Court on 3 October.”

The video – which was circulated on social media – shows more than 20 people standing outside the house believed to belong to the man who was later hog-tied. 

Village matai were heard in the background of the video saying "don’t disrespect this village" and continued when the man was tied and carried out. Another matai is heard calling out to tie him up on the stick and to prepare the umu to roast him. 

The Police Commissioner said the alleged victim was admitted to the Tuasivi hospital after sustaining injuries from the incident that occurred last week. 

The incident was reported to the Police following concerns from residents who witnessed what happened. It is believed the man was banished by the village council but continued to defy orders which led to the matai instructing the village's untitled men to carry him out hog-tied as a form of punishment.