Tahiti’s Temaru suspends hunger strike

Pape’ete: French Polynesia’s pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru has suspended his hunger strike launched five days ago in protest at the French judiciary. Mr Temaru made the announcement outside the courts in Papeete where he and his supporters gathered every day last week.

He said he would resume his hunger strike today when he expects the prosecutor Herve Leroy to appear in court following a complaint lodged by his lawyers.

Last week, Mr Leroy seized US$100,000 (FJ$219,500) from Mr Temaru’s private account and had a judge afterwards approve the action, saying the funds were taken so that they could not be spent.