Rere Puputauki
Léonard Colombel Puputauki, also known as Rere Puputauki, is the former head of French Polynesia's Presidential Intervention Group (GIP). Since being removed from office he has been convicted of manslaughter, abuse of public funds, and ignoring labour laws over actions taken while managing the GIP. Charges of kidnapping relating to the disappearance and murder of journalist Jean-Pascal Couraud are still pending. In August 1999 he was made an officer of the Order of Tahiti Nui. Following the election of Oscar Temaru as President of French Polynesia in 2005, Puputauki was replaced as head of the GIP. He subsequently led the organisation in a rebellion against the government, repeatedly blockading Tahiti's main port in an effort to prevent his replacement, gain new contracts, and destabilise the government. In October 2006, the GIP seized government buildings, including the territorial assembly and presidential palace. After being driven out by French gendarmes with tear gas they demanded the resignation of the French High Commissioner. In November 2006 he threatened further blockades. In March 2010 he was convicted of ignoring labour laws over a scheme in which he used GIP staff to transfer tuna boats from China and South Korea to French Polynesia for his