US court grants Samoa minister bail

The family of Samoa’s Associate Minister of Trade, Hans Joachim Keil, is delighted with a US Magistrate court’s order allowing the member of parliament home on bail.

Mr Keil is facing immigration charges in Missouri, Radio New Zealand International reports.

He will be allowed to return to Samoa, until his trial, on payment of ten percent of the bond of US$250,000.

The lawmaker’s brother, Richard Keil, says it is good news not only for the family, but also for his friends and supporters.

Richard Keil has thanked people for the support given to his brother, including Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuila’epa Sailele Malielegaoi, American Samoa’s Congressman, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, and the 2000 people who took part in a rally.

Richard Keil says finding the money will be difficult but he says they will not ask the government for financial assistance.