Pacific

French Polynesia leaders fined for partying while people died of covid

12:12 pm on 3 June 2022

French Polynesia's President Edouard Fritch and the former Vice-President Tearii Alpha have both been fined after they flouted Covid-19 rules last year.

Alpha, who was the vice-president at the time, invited 300 people to his wedding in August last year including all cabinet members during the covid-19 pandemic.

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The co-owner of the establishment said they were never consulted about the wedding.

Their lawyer, Stanley Cross, told La Premiere the venue owner was not to blame.

"The restaurant can not be held responsible for what has happened and all of the wedding plans was done under the authority of Tearii Alpha."

The French High Commission began an investigation after photos and videos of the wedding party flooded social media last year.

During August and September last year, 551 deaths were recorded due to covid-19.

Late last year Alpha was sacked as Vice-President by Fritch for refusing to get vaccinated against Covid-19.