New Caledonia activist jailed in mainland France says he is a 'political prisoner'

NEWS WIRES

1 July 2024 at 10:53 pm·1-min read

An indigenous Kanak pro-independence activist from the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia said Monday that he considered himself a "political prisoner" as authorities held him in jail in mainland France pending charges over a wave of deadly rioting.

Christophe Tein, 56, is leader of the CCAT pro-independence group, accused by Paris of orchestrating the weeks of unrest. The group's members deny the accusation.

Tein spoke to two French Green party senators who visited him in isolation in jail in the northeastern French city of Mulhouse, in an exchange witnessed by AFP.

"I am a political prisoner and the first one to have been extradited in this way along with my comrades," he said.

"I have been able to speak on the phone with my lawyer in Noumea but it is difficult because of the time difference. I have to make contact with a lawyer here," he added.

Tein was one of seven pro-independence activists transferred to mainland France on July 23 from the territory, nearly 17,000 kilometres (10,600 miles) from Paris.

The move sparked a resurgence of rioting in New Caledonia.

(AFP)

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