The former head of the now disbanded French Polynesian GIP intervention force, Rere Puputauki, has been detained in connection with a probe of the running of the now defunct group.
The GIP was formed by a former president, Gaston Flosse, and provided among other things shipping services but also accommodated an espionage unit, whose activities were tolerated by the French authorities.
Mr Puputauki was summoned two days ago for questioning but has subsequently been detained, as an investigative judge is looking into the way the GIP was run.
The probe follows reports by the accounts office which questioned business practices and the apparent use of public resources for Mr Puputauki's personal benefit during the mid-2000s.
