A grateful President

By Sarafina Sanerivi 06 March 2016, 12:00AM

Siliniu Lina Chang is extremely grateful.

The President of the Samoa Victims Support Group is pleased that the charges against her along with other Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G) staff members have been proven wrong by the District Court.

For that, she wanted to thank everyone who supported her and the S.V.S.G. throughout the hearing.

“First and foremost, I want to thank our Heavenly Father for His guidance and protection upon us, His children,” she said.

“From the bottom of my heart, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who stood at our sides and supported S.V.S.G. and me when we were fighting the case.”

She wanted to especially thank all her family in Upolu and Savai’i and also the children at the House of Hope who stood by her.

She referred to the case as a “disease” which had affected and ruined the name of the group.

Today, she said she is glad that it’s over. 

“And for that we are very grateful to God and to everyone who believed in us,” she said.

“Let the glory be with God and not us.’

Siliniu was accused of attempting to defeat the course of justice along with Superintendent Sala’a Sale Sala’a, S.V.S.G staff member, Tumua Luafalealo and Elaine Elena Ulia Faiga.

The charges arose from a criminal prosecution against Mrs. Faiga in 2013, which was dismissed when petitioner Susan Stowers had left the country. 

In the District Court on the 20th of February, Judge Vaepule found Siliniu and Sala’a not guilty. 

But Mrs. Faiga was found guilty of coercing a key witness, Foai Galue Malo between 20th February and 10th May 2013 to leave for American Samoa. 

On the other hand, Mrs. Luafalealo was found guilty of calling Ms. Stowers on 11th November 2013 telling her not to cooperate with the Police investigation. 

Judge Vaepule briefly read out his verdict and dismissed the Court for sentencing on the 23rd March. 

Siliniu and Mrs. Luafalealo were represented by lawyer Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu. 

Lawyer Papali’i Lio Taeu Masipau stood for Superintendent Sala’a and Alalatoa Rosella Papali’i was the lawyer for Mrs. Faiga. 

By Sarafina Sanerivi 06 March 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>