A 22-year-old man residing at Ha'ato'u in Pangai, Ha'apai has been charged with murder in relation to death of a 36-year old man during a drinking party at Ha'atou, on Saturday September 3.

Acting Police Commissioner Taniela Faletau said today, September 13, said that the man, originally from Lapaha in Tongatapu, is accused of assaulting the deceased. He said medical authorities at Ha'apai determined that the deceased died due to severe internal bleeding to his head. No further details were released on the incident.

The accused remains in police custody.

81 crimes

In the meantime in Tonga, there was a high increase in the number of crimes recorded from September 5-11 with 81 crimes reproted in contrast to only 46 reported the previous week.

He said the increase was due to a number of crimes reported to police in previous weeks but were only registered last week.

He said assault was the most crime with 23 offences followed by 22 housebreaks, one murder charge and four conspiracy to commit crime and two trespasses.