The president of the French Senate has been asked to lift the parliamentary immunity of French Polynesia's president, Gaston Flosse.
Reports say the request was lodged last weekend to allow the authorities to detain him over allegations that he abused public funds over arranging free long water supply to his residence.
Gaston Flosse, who is also a member of the French Senate, was charged last month after police also charged his brother-in-law, Edouard Fritch, who is the president of the territorial assembly.
The two have rejected they have done anything wrong and questioned the timing of the probe as municipal elections are due this month.
