13 Apr 2017

Another arrest over New Caledonia unrest

7:38 pm on 13 April 2017

Another man has been arrested in connection with violence in New Caledonia's St Louis and Paita between October and January.

Police officers guard the road in Mont-Dore, to the south of New Caledonia's capital, Noumea. The road is frequently closed by armed protesters.

Police officers guard the road in Mont-Dore, to the south of New Caledonia's capital, Noumea. The road is frequently closed by armed protesters. Photo: AFP

The arrest brings to 73 the number of people detained over the unrest, during which several police officers suffered gunshot wounds.

New Caledonia's prosecutor has also named two other suspects and asked them to surrender.

They are Pascal Gnibekan and Samuel Moekia, who in 2015 escaped from prison.

The prosecutor said the men were wanted for attempted murder and were likely to be armed and in hiding in St Louis.

He warned it was a criminal offence to house, feed or transport the wanted men and that it was also a crime to lend them a phone.

He said anyone found to have helped the two risked up to three years in prison and a $US45,000 fine.