World Affairs Board - View Single Post - Anti-terror raids in New Zealand

**Parihaka** · 11-13-2007, 17:38 PM

Police to investigate newspapers over terror files

Quote:

NZPA | Wednesday, 14 November 2007

Police will now include The Dominion Post and The Press in its investigation into the leaking of suppressed documents on police raids to TV3.

Deputy Commissioner Operations Rob Pope said this morning the scope of the investigation, announced on Monday, will be expanded to include The Dominion Post material, and any other publication which could be considered to breach court suppression orders or potentially compromise criminal proceedings.

Solicitor-General David Collins QC told reporters today whether The Dominion Post and The Press were prosecuted was for the police to decide.

He refused to comment whether publication of the material was in contempt of court.

TV3 said it had decided against discussing the leaked documents on Campbell Live after being warned doing so would open them up to contempt charges.

Dr Collins said he would put out a written statement this morning, pointing out it was a criminal offence to possess interceptions and communications belonging to the police.

Police began an investigation on Monday into whether TV3 has documents which breach court suppression orders made after last month's police raids on so-called weapons training camps in the Ureweras.

The Solicitor-General last week ruled against charges being pursued under the Terrorism Suppression Act against 12 of the 16 arrested in the raids.

However, they all still face charges involving illegal possession of weapons.

Peter Williams QC this morning called for an investigation into how suppressed information was leaked and its publication.

"I think there are two issues here. One is the right of the public to know matters of importance. But the other issue is the rule of law and the rule of law is quite clear that where evidence is inadmissible and where defendants have not had their cases completed it is contempt of court to publish that material," he told Radio New Zealand.

"The rule of law is of paramount importance to democracy and I would expect now the attorney-general or the solicitor-general to commence a high-level investigation, because this goes to the basic fundamentals of our legal system."

Mr Williams said The Dominion Post could expect a degree of public support for its actions, "and maybe their lawyers will be able, somehow, in a devious way, to justify the publication".

New Zealand First MP Ron Mark today said the information revealed in the newspaper articles was "deeply sinister" and police had no choice but to raid those involved in the paramilitary camps.

He said people should accept police had to act in the interest of public safety.

"Law-abiding citizens will be shocked at the material published and will want reassurance that these threats no longer exist."

Peter Williams QC is a lawyer who immediately after the raids offered his services to Tuhoe in any legal action against the Government. An ambulance chaser.