France, June 4 -- French investigating magistrates have ordered the release of an independence leader from New Caledonia who was detained for a year over deadly riots in 2024, but he will not be freed immediately after prosecutors appealed the decision.

Christian Tein, 57, from the indigenous Kanak group, has been held in custody in eastern France since June 2024.

He was charged over rioting on the Pacific archipelago that left 14 people dead, including two gendarmes, and caused more than two billion euros in damage.

Tein heads the Field Action Coordination Unit (CCAT), an organisation that prosecutors suspect was behind the unrest that broke out on 13 May 2024.

He has denied any role in organising violence and considers himself a pol...