Three men jailed for rioting

The three men are also accused of intending to use a pyrotechnic device to blow up a bridge on the Paita highway in the town of Greater Noumea.

Deputy prosecutor Lucy Drage, who asked for prison terms for the three defendants, estimated that “there was an organization, an intelligence, a design and a criminal enterprise in this case.”

Nathalie Lepape, lawyer for the civil party, argued that the Noumea court had never examined facts of such magnitude since the incident occurred, stressing their “extreme seriousness.”

The main suspect, 37, is in custody and admitted to shooting at police officers multiple times with a gun and pyrotechnic device stolen near Paita, but without causing any injuries.

“I’m not a sponsor, I’m a big brother,” he assured in the bar, explaining that “I stood up” “against” the reform of the electoral body that has set the archipelago on fire since May 13 and responded to the deaths of young Kanaks in the first days of unrest.

“It’s political and I regret it a bit, but it’s the people’s struggle and we don’t want to hurt or kill anyone,” added the oldest defendant accused of transporting the weapons, explaining that the actions were intended to intimidate the police. He was sentenced to three years in prison, two of which were suspended.

The last man was sentenced to three years in prison, two of which were suspended, for his alleged role in the bridge bombing plot. The death penalty will be carried out with an electronic bracelet.

Defense lawyer Stéphane Bonono lamented at the hearing: “This is the first major trial since the riots began and we want to strike hard.” He said he had a feeling of being “in front of an exceptional jurisdiction.”

New Caledonia has faced unrest and riots since May 13, which left 10 people dead, including two gendarmes, over a project to reform the electoral body for provincial elections.