French Polynesia's opposition pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party has accused France of wanting to eliminate its leader Oscar Temaru from office in his home town of Faaa.
Oscar Temaru Photo: RNZI
The claim was made by the party's Antony Geros at a news conference ahead of next week's trial of Mr Temaru on charges of abusing public funds.
Mr Geros said since 1983 Mr Temaru has been the mayor of Faaa with dignity yet France wants, as he puts it, to decapitate him.
He said the claim that Mr Temaru has abused funds is unacceptable and he has called on the public to a peaceful gathering in his support at the court next week.
Mr Geros said in the assembly he has colleagues who have abused funds and keep their seats while Mr Temaru has lost his.
Last year, Mr Temaru was forced out of the assembly after a French court rejected his election campaign accounts.
The president Edouard Fritch and the assembly president Gaston Tong Sang are among several politicians of the ruling party who have succeeded in keeping their seats despite corruption convictions.