Leaders of French Polynesia were penalised for partying

While others died of covid

President Edouard Fritch of French Polynesia and former Vice-President Tearii Alpha were both punished for violating Covid-19 standards last year.

During the covid-19 epidemic, Alpha, the vice-president at the time, invited 300 people to his wedding in August last year, including all cabinet members.

The establishment's co-owner said that they were never contacted about the wedding.

Stanley Cross, their lawyer, told La Premiere that the venue owner was not to a fault.

"The restaurant cannot be held liable for what occurred, and all wedding arrangements were made with the permission of Tearii Alpha."

After photographs and videos of the wedding celebration inundated social media last year, the French High Commission launched an inquiry.

Last August and September, 551 people died as a result of covid-19.

Fritch fired Alpha as Vice-President late last year for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19.