Flosse may face Tahiti court over china theft

3:06 pm on 11 March 2016

French Polynesia's disgraced former president, Gaston Flosse, and his partner, Pascale Haiti, are expected to face the criminal court in Tahiti over the alleged theft of china from the presidency.

Gaston Flosse

Gaston Flosse Photo: RNZ

Tahiti-infos said this follows an unsuccessful bid by Ms Haiti to have the case thrown out on procedural matters.

The two were charged with taking public property in December 2014 after 70,000 US dollars 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 risk a sentence of seven years in prison and a $US130,000 dollar fine.

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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