The Supreme Court in Samoa has issued an arrest warrant for a Chinese businessman, Jack Hao, who is facing rape charges.
Mr Hao was charged with two counts of rape and one of assault on a 16 year old girl who was employed in his business in Samoa.
The defendant's trial was scheduled to start in July but an application by his lawyer for Mr Hao to leave the country was granted under a 2,500 US dollar bond.
The case was rescheduled to be heard this week, but the court heard the defendant has not returned from China.
Our correspondent says the Attorney General lawyers may seek to have him extradited.
