Media Release:

Crown continues Operation 8 terror

Date: March 23, 2009
From: October 15th Solidarity Wellington

The 18 defendants arrested in the state terror raids of 15 October 2007 will be back in Auckland for court this week. A hearing is set down for 25/26 March in the High Court to determine if proceedings will be moved there or remain in the District Court.

"The crown and police have wasted more than $20 million in this ridiculous farce already. They spent millions surveilling people all over the country in Operation 8. Now they are throwing millions more at crown lawyers to come to try up with something that will stick" said Mr. Peter Steiner, spokesperson for the Wellington October 15th Solidarity group.

"The Crown is persisting in these cases to encourage the climate of fear arising from 9/11 and pushed with Operation Eight. Most sensible people in this country can see that these are politically motivated charges aimed at silencing dissent. At present all of the 18 accused face minor firearms offences - something that might ordinarily be treated by police with a warning. However, in this case, the crown are trying desperately to save face for invading and terrorising communities around the country. They have added the charge of 'participation in a criminal group' to five of the defendants', in order to justify the existence of these so-called 'anti-terror'police, and the huge waste of resources."

"We welcome the opportunity for the public to see what these so-called 'anti-terrorism' cops and high-priced lawyers are really doing. In the High Court, the crown will be trying to justify the use of warrants and information gained by the now totally discredited Police Special Investigation Group (SIG) under terrorism laws - even though those charges were dismissed outright by the Solictor-General due to lack of evidence" said Mr. Steiner.

"It is time to pull the plug on this travesty. These charges should be dropped. We call on people concerned about the growing police state to stand up and resist these attacks."

More details about the raids can be found at http://www.October15thSolidarity.info

ENDS

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