The appeal court in French Polynesian has again tried the Honotua cable contract case after the criminal court had acquitted all ten accused of favouritism.
The case relates to the awarding of an 80 million US dollar contract to lay a communications cable to Tahiti.
The project was launched in 2006 and signed off with Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Network in 2008 amid rapid changes of government, which triggered a probe of the tendering process.
Photo: 123RF
In March last year, the suspects, including former heads of the telecommunications company OPT, were acquitted but the prosecution refiled the case.
The prosecution wants Alcatel Submarine Networks to be fined $US5 million.
An appeal court verdict is expected on 22 February.
Favouritism can under French law be punished with up to two years imprisonment.
