Pacific / French Polynesia

French Polynesia assembly staff questioned by police

07:47 am on 30 May 2018

About 20 employees of French Polynesia's territorial assembly have been questioned by police in a case of alleged defamation.

French Polynesia's assembly approves 2018 budget Photo: French Polynesia presidency

Radio1 says this follows a complaint by Marcel Tuihani who until this month's election was the assembly president.

In February, about 60 employees published a letter, complaining about harassment and demanded the sacking of Mr Tuihani's chief of staff.

The signatories said they were being bullied and humiliated on a daily basis and no longer wanted to be treated like dogs.

Mr Tuihani said the letter was a low blow and aimed to denigrate him in the lead-up to the election.

He said the letter was full of lies, abusive and degrading.