Samoan MP released from custody in the US

Updated September 18, 2008 16:02:52

Samoa's Associate Minister of Trade and Commerce Hans Joachim Keil has been released from detention in the United States. Mr Keil was arrested on immigration charges and taken into custody in Missouri while visiting family in US.

Presenter: Barbara Heggen
Speaker: Richard Keil, brother of Samoan MP Hans Joachim Keil

HEGGEN: Hans Joachim Keil has been travelling to and from the United States for many years, visiting his mother and daughters who all live there. He holds two passports, one from the United States, as well as a Samoan passport.

While in transit in the US state of Missouri, Keil presented his US passport and told authorities he was a US citizen. But a closer examination of the records by immigration officers found that Mr Keil's application for US citizenship in 1967 had actually been rejected. Mr Keil was immediately taken into custody and charged with immigration offences.

The Samoan Government strongly protested Mr Keil's detention and he was released earlier today.

Mr Keil's brother, Richard Keil, says he's doing well, but has to remain in the States until the matter is sorted out.

KEIL: All I can say, right now he has been released, that's all I can say.

HEGGEN: Why are you unable to say anything?

KEIL: I have got to get instructions from them, but right now they just say he said don't release anything right now, because his lawyers and things are still working on these things. But they have been able to get his release.

HEGGEN: So you have spoken to Jo?

KEIL: Yes, I have spoken to him with my other brother. He seemed very well and concerned about others, instead of himself. He's asking how mother is and things like that and how is everything and just thanked everybody for their assistance.

HEGGEN; When will we be able to know more about the situation?

KEIL: I can't really say anything about when or when, because I don't know that myself. All it is that he can't leave Missouri till the matter has been settled. So as I said, I can't really say too much.

HEGGEN: Okay, so when do you expect him back home?

KEIL: Well, that's what he can't come back right now. He's still got meetings with them or something like that, but at least he's been released out.

HEGGEN: And your confident that everything will be sorted out?

KEIL: Oh yes, yes, I mean I've got no problems and all my other brothers got no problems. There is just an issue that gets back to us becoming a US citizen so at that time. But like he said, all he said was if anybody asks you, it's just a matter of having in his possession two passports, which is an American passport and a Samoan passport.