The man who burnt down a traditional building at New Caledonia's customary Kanak Senate has been given a suspended 18-month jail sentence.
The 29 year-old Kanak man confessed to using a lighter to set the structure ablaze on Saturday night.
He was reportedly upset with Kanak leaders over a lack of support to get electricity to a nearby shantytown.
The criminal court suspended the sentence on condition he get some training.
He was also ordered to do 200 hours of community service.
The arson was widely condemned, including by the French High Commissioner who briefed Paris about the incident.
It came less than two months before New Caledonia's referendum on independence from France.
