11 Nov 2005

French Polynesia's Flosse to be questioned in spying probe

4:53 pm on 11 November 2005

Reports from French Polynesia say the opposition's veteran leader, Gaston Flosse, will be questioned before the end of the month over alleged spying on private individuals.

Judicial sources in Papeete say Mr Flosse will be questioned by a judge, Anne Barruol, who is investigating complaints that the presidential intervention force, the GIP, that he set up in the 1990s was involved in espionage.

Among the people to lodge complaints about being followed and having their phone tapped is the current president, Oscar Temaru.

The head office of Mr Flosse's party was searched by police this week as part of the probe into the alleged invasion of privacy by the GIP.

The search was also carried out in connection with a probe into the disappearance of a journalist eight years ago.

The Tahoeraa has likened the murder probe to a public lynching of the party and Mr Flosse.

He has sworn that he had no role in the disappearance of the journalist.