New Caledonia's president, Philippe Germain, has been fined $US 3,000 over a defamation complaint thrown out in the criminal court.
The case relates to comments placed on his Facebook page by a politician of the rival anti-independence Republicans Sonia Backes over a trucker's strike.
Mr Germain deemded them as being offensive and lodge a complaint.
The criminal court acquitted her but fined him for abuse of process.
It is not immediately clear if he will appeal.
The court case was overshadowed by another government member being tried at the same time last Friday.
Anthony Lecren was given a suspended six-month jail sentence for assaulting his former partner last September.
