Philippe Gomès and Philippe Michel, two executives from the Party Caledonia Ensemble, condemned | EUROtoday

Two leaders of the non -independence celebration Caledonie Ensemble, Philippe Gomès and Philippe Michel, have been sentenced on Tuesday 1^er July, by the Nouméa Criminal Court at three and 4 years in jail and 5 years of ineligibility in a case of fictitious jobs.

Ex-deputy Philippe Gomes was sentenced to 4 years in jail, together with two farm developed below digital bracelet, and 5 years of ineligibility. Philippe Michel, former president of the southern province of New Caledonia, was sentenced to 3 years in jail, together with a landscaped farm and 5 years of ineligibility. They have been additionally sentenced to fines of almost one million euros. These two executives appeared for embezzlement of public funds between 2014 and 2018, when their coaching was on the head of the southern province. They are suspected of getting paid political collaborators from the Wallisian and Futunian group for fictitious capabilities.

In a press launch, Caledonia Together pronounces to attraction, estimating the choice “Totally contrary to those rendered by four magistrates from the prosecution and the siege, at three times separate from the procedure”. The celebration additionally plans to deposit “In the coming days” A suspension abstract and an attraction to the Council of State with regard to the choice to ineligibility. The provisional execution of ineligibility penalties makes the mandates of the 2 executives, elected officers of the southern province and the Caledonian congress, instantly deciduous.

Clientelist practices

“This debate will go to the Court of Cassation”mentioned their lawyer M^e Frédéric de Greslan to journalists, denouncing a “New interpretation” regulation. This conviction additionally has political repercussions. The lack of two seats deprives Caledonia collectively the potential of forming a bunch on the Congress of New Caledonia.

In his judgment, the court docket describes a “Organized system of embezzlement of public funds”aimed toward “Retain political support through paid jobs on public funds”some recruitments assembly “A logic of voice purchase”. The lawyer for the southern province, M^e Philippe Reuter, who had fashioned a civil celebration, welcomed the company France-Presse du Judgment, believing that there was “An attack on the image of the institution”.

These clientelist practices are nothing new in New Caledonia. Caledonia Ensemble was already focused by an analogous case in 2008, labeled with out observe -up. In April 2024, it was the loyalist mayors Willy Gatuhau and Harold Martin who have been convicted of buy of voice.

The Loyalists’ chief, Sonia Backès, requested for the exclusion of Philippe Gomès discussions on the institutional future deliberate in Paris from Wednesday. This assembly is eagerly awaited, simply over a yr after the violent independence rebellion in May 2024.