Tahiti's Flosse to be tried for theft of chinaware

11:20 am on 22 April 2016

French Polynesia's disgraced former president, Gaston Flosse, and his partner will face the criminal court in Tahiti over the alleged theft of china from the presidential palace.

Presidential palace, Papeete

Presidential palace, Papeete Photo: RNZ

The two were charged with taking public property back in December 2014 after $US70,000 worth of china and silverware from the presidential palace were found at their home.

Flosse, who had lost the presidency because of a corruption conviction three months earlier, said he had bought the items in question with his own money.

The pair risks a sentence of seven years in prison and a $US130,000 fine.

His partner Pascale Haiti made an unsuccessful bid to have the case thrown out on procedural matters.

Flosse is banned from holding public office until 2019 although he has challenged the decision, claiming he is eligible to stand again in 2018.

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