20 Jun 2016

Samoa prison escapee located in Australia

12:33 pm on 20 June 2016
Part of Tafaigata prison cells

Part of Tafaigata prison cells Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Samoa's police commissioner has confirmed that a person who escaped prison last year has been found by police in Australia.

Valufitu Fiu Uolilo escaped from Tafaigata prison, where he was serving a two years sentence for causing actual bodily harm with a weapon, last August.

Valufitu was first discovered to have been in New South Wales in October, but his arrest was last week confirmed by the police commissioner, Fuiavailili Egon Keil.

Our correspondent says an investigation has been launched to try and determine how the prisoener managed to reach Australia.