UN ENVOY URGES PROBE INTO DEATH OF SKOREAN PROTESTOR

SEOUL: A UN rights envoy has called for an independent investigation into the death of a South Korean protester, shot by police water cannon during an anti- government rally last year. Baek Nam- Ki, a 69- year- old farmer, died Sunday after falling into a coma last November when he was hit by a water cannon used by police during a massive protest against Seoul’s labor policies. His plight has sparked widespread outrage with the police coming under fire for what critics describe as excessive use of force during public rallies. UN Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai voiced “dismay” over Baek’s death in a statement published late Wednesday, calling for a probe to punish those responsible. “I call for a full and independent investigation into the police’s use of water cannon during the rally ... that unambiguously led to ( his) death according to video footage available,” Kiai said. “The perpetrators should be held accountable and the family of Mr. Baek receive appropriate compensation; in addition, adequate measures must be taken to prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the future,” he said. The protests on

TONGA POLICE IN HIGH- SEAS CHASE FOR US MURDER SUSPECT

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga: Tongan police launched a high- seas chase Thursday after an American man accused of murder escaped from custody and attempted to flee the Pacific nation on his yacht. Police said Dean Jay Fletcher escaped from Vava’u Police Station, in the country’s north, in the early hours of Thursday. A police launch with 10 officers on board located the 54- year- old a few hours later about 10 kilometers offshore, and they were trying to apprehend him. “The escaped prisoner is refusing to stop and making threats to himself and police officers, which has not allowed for a safe boarding at this stage,” Tonga police said. “Further assistance has been dispatched to the area.” Fletcher arrived in Tonga with his Canadian wife in May and in July reported to police that he had found her dead aboard their yacht. He was charged with murder after a post- mortem examination. Further details of the alleged crime have not yet been made public.