The appeal court in French Polynesia is today due to resume the case of three men, including the pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru, who last year were given suspended prison sentences and fines.
They were convicted for exercising undue influence over funding arrangements for a community station, Radio Tefana, which were found to benefit Mr Temaru's political party.
French Polynesia leader Oscar Temaru. Photo: RNZI
Their trial was suspended last week as the defence sought a ruling from Paris on whether the case could continue to be heard in Papeete.
The defence alleges that the prosecutor Herve Leroy acted in a grotesque manner by going to see the judge.
After being convicted last year, Mr Temaru said he was being punished because in the eyes of France he committed treason by taking French presidents to the International Criminal Court over nuclear weapons tests.
Earlier this year, Mr Temaru took Mr Leroy to court for portraying him as guilty although the appeal case had not yet been heard.
That case was transferred to New Caledonia because the court in Papeete found it could not deal with it impartially.