French Court Overturns Detention of Two New Caledonian Separatists

The French Supreme Court ruled in favor of two Kanak activists, challenging their transfer from New Caledonia to mainland France.

The French Supreme Court annulled the detention orders for Christian Tein and Steve Unë, two Kanak pro-independence activists, while rejecting appeals from three others.
Tein and Unë were transferred to mainland France following their alleged involvement in deadly riots in New Caledonia earlier this year.
The court ruled that the activists' rights were violated due to the lack of adversarial debate and the conditions of their transfer.
The activists were transported in reportedly inhumane conditions, handcuffed and strapped during a 30-hour flight from Nouméa to Paris.
The activists face serious charges, including complicity in attempted murder and organized gang theft, related to the May riots against electoral reforms.