KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian authorities have detained a French lawyer representing a human rights group in a court case accusing shipbuilder DCNS of corruption in a $1.2 billion submarine deal with Malaysia.

Cynthia Gabriel, with local rights group Suaram, says William Bourdon was taken into custody Friday. Officials couldn't be reached and there was no word on why he was detained.

Bourdon represents Suaram, which filed complaints with a French prosecutor in 2009 alleging corruption in a 114 million euro ($164 million) fee DCNA paid to Malaysian firm Perimekar Sdn. Bhd.

Gabriel says Bourdon arrived in Penang state Thursday and spoke at a dinner about the case.

He flew to Kuala Lumpur for another forum. Immigration officials detained him after his flight landed.