8 Dec 2006

Mystery man shows up to mark anniversary of missing Tahiti journalist

5:37 pm on 8 December 2006

Supporters of missing Tahiti journalist Jean-Pascal Couraud are concerned at the true identity of a mystery man who showed up in the middle of a press conference to mark the ninth anniversary of his disappearance.

Allegations of Mr Couraud's assassination have been publicly made by a former presidential security agent.

His family claim they have been approached by multiple sources including other agents to back up the allegations of top level involvement in the assassination.

The journalist's brother, Philippe Couraud, this morning again criticised the fact that the police inquiries continue to be delayed by the judge in charge of the case.

After the press conference, however, Mr. Couraud said he found it strange that the mystery man refused to identify himself properly, claiming to be in the food business but with a university education and private interest in governance issues.

The man did not tell anyone the name of his business and left only an email as a contact.

At the time of his disappearance, Jean-Pascal Couraud was said by his family to be working on a story about the elite group of security agents under former president Gaston Flosse who were allegedly planning to bring in small arms weapons in from Korea.