Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Flosse lawyers seek his release from Tahiti jail

Posted at 22:29 on 11 November, 2009 UTC

Lawyers acting for the detained former French Polynesian president, Gaston Flosse, have lodged an urgent appeal for their client to be released from Tahiti’s Nuutania jail.

They expect the relevant judge to decide this week on whether to maintain the jailing of Mr Flosse who is likely to be held for two weeks as part of the long-running investigation into the OPT affair.

In September, he was charged with corruption and yesterday he was detained after the French Senate last week lifted his parliamentary immunity.

Mr Flosse’s Tahoeraa Huiraatira Party has expressed its support and says until proven guilty, he is still presumed to be innocent.

His lawyers have also dismissed as ill-meant rumours claims that he is being accused of abuse of public funds.