The appeal court in New Caledonia has upheld the jail sentence given to a man jailed for making death threats against the police.
The 31-year-old, Rock Wamytan of St Louis, was jailed for two years in December after he told the police over the phone that he would shut down the road south of Noumea, and threatened to unleash a civil war and even kill a police officer.
He lodged an appeal but the local newspaper said the court upheld his sentence.
French police officers in New Caledonia. Photo: AFP
Wamytan, who is also known as Banane, was the first person to be convicted in connection with the unrest near St Louis which began in October after police shot dead an unarmed prison escapee driving a stolen car.
Wamytan denied the accusation that he was among those who used firearms and targeted travellers and police officers along the road near St Louis.
An online petition was launched to help the inmate's family, with one supporter claiming he was assaulted and seriously injured in a cell at the court immediately after his conviction.
