Authorities in New Caledonia have detained 11 individuals, including the pro-independence leader Christian Tein, following last month's violent protests in the French Pacific territory.

On Wednesday, New Caledonia’s chief prosecutor identified Tein, who leads the CCAT (Field Action Coordination Cell) independence movement, among those detained. Alongside Tein, 10 others, whose identities remain undisclosed, were apprehended for charges linked to "organized crime", allowing authorities to hold them for up to 96 hours.

The arrests are part of an ongoing police inquiry initiated on May 17, in the wake of disturbances that escalated into armed clashes, looting, fires, and widespread violence, turning segments of Noumea and its suburbs into inaccessible areas.

The detained suspects are believed to have instigated the violence, leading to the deaths of nine, including two police officers. The unrest resulted in numerous injuries and about 1.5 billion euros ($1.6bn) in damages. In response, France dispatched 3,000 troops and police officers to the islands, located approximately 1,300km (800 miles) northeast of Australia, to reestablish order.

Initially sparked by France's proposal to extend voting rights to French Europeans living in the territory for at least a decade, the violence erupted over concerns from the Indigenous Kanak people. They argue that such changes would cement their perpetual minority status, thereby nullifying any prospects for independence.

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron temporarily suspended the contentious voting reform, dissolving parliament ahead of snap elections scheduled for June 30 and July 7.

Pro-independence factions demand a complete retraction of the voting reforms before negotiations on the islands' political future can resume.

‘Abusive’ arrests

Tein was apprehended while preparing to hold a press briefing at CCAT’s headquarters, which is located in a building shared with the biggest pro-independence political party, the Caledonian Union (UC), as revealed in a party statement.

Reine Hue, a UC elected representative, reported that the police "entered the offices and took photographs, particularly of documents".

Prosecutor Yves Dupas indicated that CCAT’s premises were searched "without incident".

Formed in November to challenge the electoral reforms that necessitate amending the French constitution, CCAT has been labeled a "Mafia-style organization" by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

Tein was one of the pro-independence delegates to meet with Macron during his visit to New Caledonia the previous month.

The UC condemned the "abusive" nature of Wednesday’s arrests, arguing that "local anti-independence leaders and criminal militias operate with impunity".

Despite this, the party called for its supporters "not to retaliate," urging calm until further information about the arrests was available.