17 Jul 2006

Rally in Tahiti to release convicted rapist after accusations withdrawn

10:26 am on 17 July 2006

A rally has been held in French Polynesia to ask for the release of a convicted rapist, Olivier Teamo, after the alleged victim retracted her accusation.

An estimated 200 people marched from Pirae to Papeete in a campaign to win Teamo's release.

Teamo has been in jail for ten months after being sentenced to 14 years in prison.

He had claimed his innocence but lost an appeal case and a higher appeal court then refused to reopen the case.

His stepdaughter now says she made up the rape claim.