Tahiti police gather evidence after pro surfer suspended over alleged incident
Police in Tahiti are gathering evidence following allegations that have led world surfing bodies to suspend a professional surfer.
The alleged incident reportedly involved a teenage Australian female surfer and at least three men.
The ABC understands law enforcement officials in Tahiti believe they do not have jurisdiction, because the alleged victim reported their complaint to police in Australia.
Police in French Polynesia are gathering evidence following an alleged incident in Tahiti that has led world surf bodies to suspend a professional surfer from competitions.
Both the International Surfing Association (ISA) and World Surf League (WSL) announced this week they had suspended a male competitor after learning of the "serious" allegations.
Neither organisation has identified the suspended surfer, and the ABC has not independently verified their identity.
The WSL said the alleged incident happened at a private gathering in Tahiti in August, which was not affiliated with the organisation.
Surfing World magazine, which first reported the suspension this week, said it understood the alleged incident occurred at a party after the final day of the Outerknown Tahiti Pro surfing event.
The alleged incident involved a teenage Australian female surfer and at least three men, it reported.
"[Surfing World] understands that NSW police have been advised of the allegations and have been in contact with surfing authorities," it reported.
However, Australian and French Polynesian police appear at odds regarding who has jurisdiction over the matter.
The ABC understands law enforcement officials in Tahiti believe they do not have jurisdiction, because the alleged victim reported their complaint to police in Australia.
It is also understood that local police in French Polynesia are now gathering evidence relating to the alleged incident to have ready for Australian law enforcement, but are yet to receive a formal request for information.
NSW Police has declined to comment on the matter, saying that French Polynesian police have jurisdiction and carriage of the investigation.
5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on www.abc.net.au — the content belongs to ABC News Australia - Top Stories.
