October 15th Solidarity

The court case against 20 people facing charges under the Arms Act continues. A one-day call-over court hearing was held in the Auckland in the District Court on 19th May. Most of the defendants were excused. However, several went to court and supporters from Auckland and Ruatoki were there too.

The following day, two defendants had a hearing in the Wellington High Court to challenge their non-association order. A dozen friends and supporters were there. The hearing was not resolved and a further hearing will take place within the next few days.

Auckland District Court May 19th

The charges relate to 'Operation 8' - a huge police operation which targeted Tino Rangatiratanga activists, Tūhoe and anarchists across Aotearoa. 17 people were arrested on 15th October last year. 3 further arrests were made on 19th February in the Bay of Plenty and one more on 17th April in Auckland.

On 19th May, a further call-over date was put down for 11th July. This will be just a one day hearing. The deposition hearing will still start on 1st September in the Auckland District Court (lasting a whole month). Prosecutor Ross Burns once again confirmed that none of the intercepted communication will be used in the trial. The interception warrants to bug houses, cars and listen to phone conversations were obtained under the Terrorism Suppression Act. On 8th November 2007, solicitor-general David Collins announced that he would not be granting permission to the Police to lay charges under the Terrorism Suppression Act for any of the 12 people they had applied for for alleged participation in a terrorist group.

Defence lawyer Annette Sykes also informed the judge that many CDs are not working properly. Unfortunately no bail variation were made. It is unclear in which court these changes should be made (the District or the High Court). The Auckland District Court is apparently booked up for trials until August 2009 but a date can't be set until after depositions in September 2008. There is an average waiting time for around 350 days in the Auckland District Court - so don't expect a trial until at least October 2009.

Wellington High Court May 20th

A further hearing will be held soon to argue that the non-association order for two of the Wellington based anarchists should be dropped. The crown has already indicated that they are prepared to loosen the non-association condition and allow the two to participate in collective meetings, be at the Oblong internet cafe (also the Freedom Shop book store) at the same time and staying at the same place during the deposition hearing in September. The hearing will continue sometime in the next few days.