jailed

New Caledonia

Fire-starters jailed

Five men who started a fire at the home of the pro independence president of New Caledonia’s Islands province, Richard Kaloi, have been jailed by a court in Noumea.

The sentences ranged from 18 months to six years. Three of those convicted were also charged with starting two other fires last year in the French Pacific territory.

The accused were said to have agreed to attack Kaloi’s home in March and three of them threw fire bombs into his garage, two vehicles were destroyed. The attack took place at a time when there was a strong political dispute over funds for

economic development projects.