The French Polynesian mayor convicted for corruption last week has decided to lodge an appeal in France's highest court.
Cyril Tetuanui Photo: AFP
Cyril Tetuanui, who is the mayor of Tumara'a on the island of Raiatea, was given a one-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of the inappropriate use of his office for business dealings.
He was also declared ineligible to hold public office for two years.
If he had accepted the verdict, Tetuanui could have served his sentence and stand again in the 2020 municipal election .
However, he won't be able to run in 2020, if he fails to get his convictions overturned in Paris.
Five years ago, Tetuanui was already declared ineligible for public office for a year, but the sentence lapsed because for a year the relevant French court document wasn't sent through to the French High Commission in Papeete to make it official.
