Guardian

French court releases New Caledonia independence leader detained over deadly riots

Reuters

French Court Orders Release New Caledonia Pro Independence Leader 2025 06 12

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The Paris Court of Appeals ordered the release of Christian Tein, a pro-independence leader from New Caledonia, after he spent nearly a year in custody in eastern France <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2024/new-caledonia-unrest-prompts-french-emergency-declaration">following deadly riots in May 2024 that left more than a dozen people dead</a>.

The Paris Court of Appeals ordered the release of Christian Tein, a pro-independence leader from New Caledonia, after he spent nearly a year in custody in eastern France following deadly riots in May 2024 that left more than a dozen people dead.

Tein, who is an Indigenous Kanak and leads the Field Action Coordination Cell, was charged with instigating violence during protests that erupted after French lawmakers approved expanding voting rights to thousands more French citizen residents in New Caledonia.

Devdiscourse

Tein, who is an Indigenous Kanak and leads the Field Action Coordination Cell, was charged with instigating violence during protests that erupted after French lawmakers approved expanding voting rights to thousands more French citizen residents in New Caledonia.

Investigating magistrates concluded there was no proof that Tein was preparing an armed uprising against the government after questioning him in late May, leading to the initial release order that was upheld by the appeals court.</span

Barrons

Investigating magistrates concluded there was no proof that Tein was preparing an armed uprising against the government after questioning him in late May, leading to the initial release order that was upheld by the appeals court.

The court ordered Tein's release under judicial control with conditions that he cannot return to New Caledonia, must not contact other suspects in the case, and must live with his partner in eastern France while responding to future judicial summons.</span

The court ordered Tein's release under judicial control with conditions that he cannot return to New Caledonia, must not contact other suspects in the case, and must live with his partner in eastern France while responding to future judicial summons.

The riots began in the spring of 2024 when Indigenous Kanaks feared the voting rights expansion would dilute their political power and make it harder for an independence referendum to pass, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to declare a state of emergency.

The riots began in the spring of 2024 when Indigenous Kanaks feared the voting rights expansion would dilute their political power and make it harder for an independence referendum to pass, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to declare a state of emergency.

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2024/macron-suspends-controversial-voting-reform-in-new-caledonia">France scrapped the controversial voting overhaul in October 2024</a>, and President Macron announced plans to host fresh political talks in Paris in the coming weeks to foster a comprehensive agreement between pro-independence and pro-France factions.

France scrapped the controversial voting overhaul in October 2024, and President Macron announced plans to host fresh political talks in Paris in the coming weeks to foster a comprehensive agreement between pro-independence and pro-France factions.

For too long, France has advanced colonial oppression disguised as law enforcement. In New Caledonia, independence activists are being treated like terrorists for exercising their right to self-determination. France continues to suppress legitimate political movements in the Pacific.

For too long, France has advanced colonial oppression disguised as law enforcement. In New Caledonia, independence activists are being treated like terrorists for exercising their right to self-determination. France continues to suppress legitimate political movements in the Pacific.

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Establishment-critical narrative

France is working in good faith in New Caledonia, balancing social development with the need for law and order. It may be time to shift from focusing on ineffective institutions to ramping up economic development for the overseas territory. Leaders in Paris must navigate avoiding dangerous separatist outcomes with the need for more effective engagement.

France is working in good faith in New Caledonia, balancing social development with the need for law and order. It may be time to shift from focusing on ineffective institutions to ramping up economic development for the overseas territory. Leaders in Paris must navigate avoiding dangerous separatist outcomes with the need for more effective engagement.

French Court Frees New Caledonia Independence Leader

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French Court Frees New Caledonia Independence Leader

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