Tonga Police Commissioner takes threats to PM “very seriously” [1]
Friday, November 22, 2019 - 17:36
Tonga Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell said today that they take the security of the Prime Minister very seriously, and warned that if threats are made, arrests will follow.
He confirmed that the New Zealand Police were investigating a Facebook post that threatened the life of the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa.
“I am very grateful for the prompt attention from NZ Police into this matter,” he said in a statement.
The Tonga Police Cyber Squad had been recently strengthened with more staff to closely monitor cyber crime, and there were a number of active investigations underway.
“This specialist squad is working closely with the Attorney General’s Office and Tonga CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team).
“We remind the public: if you see something, report it directly to the Police. I give a clear warning that arrests will follow bad behaviour.”
New Zealand
The police investigation follows a Facebook post by Moana Fameitau alleging there was a threat to kill Tonga's Prime Minister and his advisor ‘Etuate Lavulavu in New Zealand. The post alleged the plot had been decided in a meeting.
Radio New Zealand reported yesterday that the chair of the Tonga Advisory Council in Auckland, Melino Maka, had laid a complaint with New Zealand Police regarding the post.
Facebook user Tina Brown reported today that the offending Facebook page has been deactivated.