Chilling video of Samoan man held at gunpoint

Police in Samoa have arrested two men after a video was released of a man being threatened with a gun held to his head.

The chilling footage, widely shared on Facebook, shows a man kneeling in front of a camera.

The video's release comes after brawls between youths from the villages of Salelologa and Salelāvalu on the island of Savaii last Saturday and earlier this week.

In the video, at least two men can be heard in the background as they threaten the victim, before he is repeatedly punched and hit about the head.

As the victim looks at the camera, a man is heard telling the other: "Bring the gun. Put the gun to his head.''

A pistol is jabbed under the victim's left eye before the man holding the camera tells him to speak.

"Shh, say something - louder! Who are you? Are you from Salelologa?

"Apologise to Salelāvalu."

Police Superintendent Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo told the Herald two men have been arrested in relation to the video and have been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and could face more charges.

The pair - aged 21 and 36 - are due to appear in court on June 26.

"Police officers attended a village council meeting in Salelāvalu yesterday and showed the elders the video.

"The elders were very angry and searched for the men. They were brought to police last night and questioned this morning.''

Filipo said the victim suffered injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. He has since been discharged.

Filipo confirmed the video was taken on Saturday night, when disagreements between youths from those villages involved arose while playing snooker.

"They had been drinking and something happened that led to fighting,'' he said.

The fighting led to rocks being thrown and shots fired at homes in Salelāvalu and neighbouring villages.

On Monday, youths blocked off a main intersection in Salelologa and raided stalls at the local market near the island's main wharf.