French court orders release of New Caledonia pro-independence leader

ISTANBUL 

Christian Tein, the pro-independence leader from Kanak, who had been held in pre-trial detention for a year due to deadly unrest in New Caledonia in 2024, was released Thursday by the Paris Court of Appeal.

“Finally, judges have understood the essence of the case,” said Francois Roux, Tein’s lawyer, Le Progres reported.

His co-counsel Florian Medico referred to it as “a first victory” while emphasizing that “the fight continues.”

The 57-year-old activist appeared via video link from Mulhouse-Lutterbach prison in eastern France. He pledged to comply with judicial summons and live with his partner in Alsace as part of his release conditions.

Tein, elected president of the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) in August 2024, has consistently denied inciting violence, referring to himself as a “political prisoner.” He is also the leader of the Coordination Cell for Field Actions (CCAT), a group accused by French authorities of orchestrating the May 13, 2024, riots that left 14 people dead, including two gendarmes, and caused over €2 billion in damage.

The appeal ruling came after Paris investigative judges unanimously approved his conditional release on June 3, following a recent interrogation. They found no evidence at this stage that Tein or other defendants had planned an armed gathering or violent actions.

Despite this, the public prosecutor had opposed the release, warning it was the “only way to prevent collusion” and ensure that Tein, described as “the mastermind” behind a mobilization call, would face trial.

“The case is empty,” argued Medico, asserting that Tein’s prosecution is based solely on political speech. “He has never called for taking up arms, for violence, or for undermining the interests of the state,” he added.

“This is a decolonization case monitored by the United Nations,” said Roux. “Seeing independence activists treated as terrorists is deeply concerning.”

The court also ordered the release of three other Kanak activists—Dimitri Qenegei, Guillaume Vama, and Erwan Waetheane—and upheld a prior release ruling for a fourth detainee, Steeve Unë. All were being held in mainland France in connection with the 2024 unrest.