Christian Tein, head of the pro-independence CCAT group in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, will be held in France after being charged Saturday over deadly riots last month, his lawyer said, reports Deutsche Welle.
Along with Tein, three other activists, including the group's communications director, Brenda Wanabow, will be sent nearly 17,000 kilometers (10,500 miles) to France.
Tein was charged by an investigating magistrate in the capital of New Caledonia, Noumea, on Saturday. He was the first of a group of 11 people arrested Wednesday to face charges over the violence that left nine people dead, including two police officers.
Noumea's chief prosecutor, Yves Dupas, said his investigation included armed robbery and complicity in murder or attempted murder. Dupas confirmed that four of those arrested on Wednesday would be taken into custody in France, without giving names.
Tein's lawyer, Pierre Ortent, said he was "stupefied" that his client would be sent to a prison in Mulhouse in eastern France. Meanwhile, Wanabo's representative, Thomas Gruet, said she would be sent to Dijon.