New Caledonia: Independence leader and 10 others arrested for alleged involvement in deadly protests

Police in New Caledonia have arrested 11 people, including pro-independence leader Christian Tein, after deadly riots last month in the French Pacific territory. The detainees are suspected of playing an instigating role in the violence, which killed nine people, including two police officers. The violence broke out over French plans to expand the electoral roll by allowing French Europeans who had lived on the islands for at least 10 years to vote. The Indigenous Kanak people fear this change would leave them in a permanent minority, making independence harder to achieve. French President Emmanuel Macron suspended the voting reform, but pro-independence groups want it completely withdrawn before dialogue on the island's political future can resume. The arrests were part of a police investigation into various crimes, including complicity in homicide and attempted homicide, armed robbery, arson, and membership in a group preparing violent acts. The detainees can be held for up to 96 hours for questioning. Macron has suspended the reforms and declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia. The territory has seen widespread destruction and violence, prompting the deployment of additional police forces. The situation is now calming down, with the curfew being shortened and the international airport reopening.