New Caledonia's criminal court has acquitted a former French high commissioner, Jean-Jacques Brot, of charges to have defamed a former vice-president, Gilbert Tyuienon.
Mr Brot was the first top French official to be taken to court in New Caledonia over alleged defamation by a local politician.
New Caledonia's former French High Commissioner, Jean-Jacques Brot. Photo: AFP
It is not clear if Mr Tyueinon will lodge an appeal as his lawyer has told local media that the case was dismissed on a technicality.
Mr Brot quit his job in the middle of a visit by a French government minister last year following a period of tense interactions with the then vice-president.
Mr Brot cancelled a visit to Canala after Mr Tyueinon asked him to lay a wreath on the grave of a Kanak pro-independence leader, Eloi Machoro, killed by a French anti-terror unit in 1985.
Shortly afterwards, Mr Brot walked out of a sitting of the territory's collegial government after allegedly being provoked by Mr Tyuienon.
