Samoa leader apologises for Nazi salute after video from 2007 emerges

Samoa's Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, has apologized after a video surfaced showing him giving a Nazi salute and saying "Heil Hitler" at a private family gathering in July 2007. In the seven-second clip, Schmidt is seen leading others in the gesture and phrase. He acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate and could cause offense and hurt, stating the clip was not intended for public viewing. Schmidt also explicitly rejected Nazism, antisemitism, racism, and all forms of political extremism. The video was first reported by the Samoa Observer, which noted the gathering was a family reunion when Schmidt was deputy speaker of parliament.

Samoa's Prime Minister has issued an apology following the resurfacing of a video. The video depicts the Prime Minister leading a Nazi salute and uttering the phrase "Heil Hitler." The article does not specify when the video was taken or when it resurfaced, nor does it provide details about the context or location of the incident. The apology is the primary action reported in response to the video's emergence.

Samoa's Prime Minister, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, has apologized after a video surfaced showing him leading a Nazi salute and saying "Heil Hitler" at a 2007 family gathering. The seven-second clip, published by the Samoa Observer, depicts Schmidt at a family reunion on Savai'i, where he instructed attendees to raise their right hands and say the phrase. Schmidt stated the gesture and words were inappropriate and do not reflect his beliefs, rejecting Nazism, antisemitism, racism, and political extremism. He emphasized that the episode does not represent his values or those of Samoa's government and people. The apology came after criticism from academics who viewed the footage as shocking and disturbing.