Escaped prisoner Dean Jay Fletcher, who fled Tonga, was arrested in American Samoa yesterday because he entered the Pago Pago harbour without a permit, Tonga's Minister of Police Hon. Pohiva Tu'ionetoa told parliament this morning.

Fletcher escaped from Tonga Police custody last week in Neiafu while awaiting arraignment on murder charges. He left Tonga on his own yacht the Sea Oak, chased by the Police who were unable to apprehend him in Tongan waters.

The Sea Oak turned up in Pago Pago yesterday.

Tonga Police stated yesterday that extradition proceedings have been commenced by Attorney General’s Office, Tonga and Attorney General’s Office, American Samoa, and the U.S. Department of Justice.