Local sources from France: FRANCE 24, FRANCE 24.
UK coverage: Al Jazeera English.
Seven Kanak independence activists, accused of playing a key role in the violence related to electoral reform in New Caledonia, have been transferred to mainland France on Saturday night for imprisonment. Among them is Christian Tein, leader of the Cellule de coordination des actions de terrain (CCAT).
Gendarmes control a vehicle at the entrance of the courthouse in Noumea, New Caledonia, where 11 independence activists, including one of the leaders of the CCAT movement, suspected of orchestrating last month’s riots, are appearing in court on June 22, 2024.
In New Caledonia, seven Kanak independence activists linked to a collective suspected of orchestrating the disturbances against electoral reform in the archipelago, including spokesperson Christian Tein, have been transferred to mainland France on Saturday night for incarceration, the prosecutor of Noumea announced on Sunday, June 23.
This transfer was organized during the night by means of a specially chartered plane for this mission, emphasized the prosecutor of the Republic, Yves Dupas, in a statement.
The magistrate explained that an assignment to a penitentiary institution in mainland France has been ordered for the seven individuals placed in provisional detention, including Christian Tein, due to the sensitivity of the procedure.
According to him, this measure is intended to allow for the continuation of investigations in a serene manner, free from any pressure or fraudulent consultation.
Complicity in attempted murder
On Saturday, 11 people arrested on Wednesday during a major sweep targeting the Cellule de coordination des actions de terrain (CCAT) were indicted on several charges, including complicity in attempted murder, organized armed robbery, organized destruction of others’ property by dangerous means, and participation in a criminal association for the preparation of a crime.
Nine individuals have been subject to a measure of provisional detention, a decision in line with the requisitions of the public prosecutor’s office and the request of the investigating magistrates, the prosecutor specified. Among them, two defendants have requested a deferred hearing in order to prepare their defense, which will take place at the beginning of the week and will be followed by their provisional incarceration.
Joël Tjibaou, one of the sons of the assassinated independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou in 1989, is one of those who requested a deferred hearing.
Christian Tein is set to be incarcerated in Mulhouse, according to his counsel. Brenda Wanobo, in charge of communication for the CCAT, is en route to the penitentiary center in Dijon, while Frédérique Muliava, chief of staff to the President of the Congress of New Caledonia Roch Wamytan, is to be incarcerated in Riom, near Clermont-Ferrand, according to their lawyers.
Two of the eleven individuals indicted on Saturday have been placed under judicial supervision.
For the past six weeks, New Caledonia, particularly Noumea, has been plagued by violent disturbances due to a constitutional reform project allowing for an unfreezing of the electoral roll, which, according to its opponents, would further marginalize the indigenous Kanak people.
Nine people, including two gendarmes, have died during the events.
The bill has been suspended by President Emmanuel Macron, three days after his decision to dissolve the National Assembly.
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