Violence in New Caledonia. Prosecutor’s clarification after “false information puts police actions in doubt”

“The prosecutors are aware of false information circulating on social networks and even in some public statements”prosecutors announced Thursday evening. “False information seriously calls into question the police’s actions”with special citation given to Yves Dupas “Released news that police violence has left dozens dead.”

another example. “Recently, certain public statements have mentioned police repression, law enforcement officers arriving and shooting people, children… I want to once again deny such false allegations or misleading insinuations.” And noted: “The author of the defamation charge that harms the honor of the representatives of the internal security forces and considered may be prosecuted for public defamation of the public administration.” This offence was punished with a fine of more than 5 million CFA francs.

For eight weeks, New Caledonia has been hit by a spate of violent acts, sparked by an insurgency against the unfreezing of electoral institutions. Numerous law enforcement operations have been and continue to be carried out in order to curb or prevent these acts. As of July 2, the High Commissioner’s Office counted 1,675 people have been arrested since mid-May.

In this context, police have also been accused of violence. “As prosecutors are committed to uncovering the truth objectively and impartially, several investigations have actually been opened into alleged acts of violence by gendarmes or police officers in the performance of their duties,” The prosecutor recalled.

Just like the procedure carried out against agents of the Noumea Municipal Police, Kicked a man who was arrested and handcuffedThe man was sentenced to ten months in prison and banned from practicing his profession for five years.

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“Regarding death or injury resulting from the use of firearms by law enforcement personnel””, continues Yves Dupas, “Three investigations are still ongoing; For the acts committed at Auteuil, At the Pirog Pass also’Close to Dumbéa Hospital Center“. Three tragedies that led to the deaths of Joseph Polawa, Lionel Paita and Daniel Tigiet. The prosecutor of the Doumbea-sur-Mer case clarified that the alleged perpetrator of the fatal shootings was “An off-duty police officer”.

“In all three cases, and based on ongoing investigations, Yves Dupas insists that The use of weapons by law enforcement appears to have been part of a response to a serious and imminent threat to the population.”