Two men have been charged in Samoa with conspiracy to murder following an international investigation into the alleged shooting murder of an Australian citizen in Vietnam earlier this year.
Samoa Police charged a 31-year-old New Zealand national and a 33-year-old Samoan national on September 10 with conspiracy to murder under section 106 of Samoa’s Crimes Act 2013. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The two men appeared before a Samoan court on September 16 and were granted conditional bail.
The charges follow a shooting in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on May 21 that resulted in the death of an Australian citizen and serious injuries to another Australian citizen.
Vietnamese authorities arrested two Samoan nationals, aged 22 and 26, on May 24 over their alleged involvement in the shooting.
Samoa Police had previously arrested the 31-year-old New Zealand national on May 27, charging him with misleading police and corruption offences as part of the investigation. He was arrested while attempting to leave Samoa.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) subsequently launched an investigation to support international law enforcement efforts and identify any other people allegedly involved.
The AFP assisted Samoa Police with the execution of a search warrant, financial inquiries, witness interviews and a forensic examination of electronic material.
Samoa Police will allege that the two newly charged men conspired with the Samoan nationals arrested in Vietnam to carry out the alleged murder.
AFP Acting Commander Pacific Greg Davis said the charges demonstrated the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies across borders.
“The charges laid are the result of extensive cooperation between Samoa Police, Vietnamese authorities and the AFP,” Davis said.
He said the investigation highlighted the need for regional law enforcement agencies to work together to combat transnational organised crime.
“The Pacific remains a strong and united front against transnational organised crime, and the AFP is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to protect communities and pursue those who seek to cause harm,” Davis said.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to work across Samoa, Vietnam and Australia.
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