The Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) has filed a criminal complaint against the leaders of the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party and their legal team, the Samoa Observer can reveal. 

The complaint relates to the party's holding of an ad-hoc swearing-in ceremony that was later struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. 

Dated 5 July, 2021 the letter is endorsed by the Secretary of the H.R.P.P. and Member of Parliament-elect, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Fuiavaili’ili Egon Keil.

Named in the complaint are the party's leader, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa; deputy leader, La’auli Leutea Schmidt; its M.P.-elect who acted as a Speaker during the 24 May swearing-in ceremony Li’o Papalii Masipa’u; and the party's legal counself Matafeo George Latu and Taulapapa Brenda Healther-Latu.

“My purpose in writing is to give notice of a complaint airing out of the recent decision by the Supreme Court delivered on Monday 28 June, 2021," said Leala in his complaint.

“The court clearly stated that the 24th May, 2021 swearing in under the tend outside Parliament by F.A.S.T. party members [and] their legal advisers is unconstitutional, unlawful and therefore deemed void and of no effect."

Written under the official letter head of the H.R.P.P., Leala, said he was acting on behalf of the party.

“I respectfully, lodged a formal Police complaint against Mateo George Latu and Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu given that they were instrumental and took the lead in advising the F.A.S.T. party leaders and members to conduct the unlawful swearing in ceremony," he said.

Leala alleges that under the constitution and Parliament's standing orders no one else but officially appointed dignitaries may conduct the ceremony.

“These are roles that are exclusive to the Head of State, Clerk of the House and others stipulated in the provisions of the Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 1962," the complaint reads.

The complaint against Li’o Papali’i, Leala claims, is that in spite of his being a senior lawyer he “acted in the [alleged] breach of the constitution and the standing Orders of Parliament as per ruling of the Supreme Court.

The complaint says Leala said Fiame and Laauli were the alleged “instigators: of the ceremony and had incited "people to participate in the swearing in.”

“Laauli Leuatea has consistently incited members of the public to be hostile, violent and to rise up against the Government of Samoa and I respect that charges be brought against him for such incitement and insulting words against the treatment of women that be identifies as H.R.P.P. supporters," the letter reads.

Leala further took aim at lawyers who assisted F.A.S.T. during the swearing-in ceremony.

“Fauolo Harry Schuster, Precious Chang, Muriel Lui, Tuala Ponifasio and associates who were parties and willingly participated in this unconstitutional swearing in ceremony," the complaint argues.

Leala's criminal complant says that FAST leaders held themselves out to be the Prime Minister-elect, Deputy Prime Minister-elect and Cabinet Ministers-elect.

“They also [presented] themselves as the new and official Government of Samoa,” the letter says

Furtheremore, Leala said Fiame issued press releases overseas seeking international intervention and recognitions from Governments such as those of New Zealand, Australia and other Pacific Nations.

“Such actions have diminished the reputation of the Government of Samoa internationally and have caused irreparable damage locally and internationally.

“F.A.S.T. leaders continued to [allegedly] act as through they were the legally appointed Government of Samoa and have purposely used the force of media [and] live announcements to attempt the overthrow of the Government of Samoa," Leala said.

“FAST leaders have [allegedly] undermined the current caretaker Government by threatening that they were in transition and by issuing a 48 hours notice for the caretaker Government to leave its offices."

The Member of Parliament elect, also claimed that Laauli allegedly threatened and incited violence against the caretaker Government after the FAST issued a 48 hours notice for the caretaker Government to leave their offices.

Regarding claims that La'auli allegedly spoke insulting words against women who identified as H.R.P.P. supporters, Leala's complaint says several women had lodged complaints with the H.R.P.P. about allegedly “depraved thoughts" and implied "sexual assault" against women.

“[The] F.A.S.T. leader continually refused to peacefully negotiate a settlement of all outstanding issues between H.R.P.P. and F.A.S.T.

“There are various others acts performed by the leaders of [the] F.A.S.T. party which have undeniably been performed with the sole purpose of overthrowing the Government of Samoa and appear to be treasonous.”

Leala said they have evidence to back up these complaints and are able to provide it to Police.

He did not stop there.

Leala also asked the Police to file relevant charges against Fiame, Laauli, Olo Fiti Vaai, Faumuina Wayne Fong and other senior members of the party. 

“It is our hope that you will urgently investigate these complaints and lay the appropriate charges as your office deems fit," Leala said. 

"I assume that anyone handling these complaints will act impartially and with independence in their role as the law enforcer arm of the Government of Samoa."