9 May 2006

Decision Regarding Union Campaigner Being Pepper Sprayed

Simon Oosterman, union campaigner, represented by Graeme Minchin of the Auckland Council of Civil Liberties, is seeking costs of $50,000 for assault and breaches of his rights for being pepper sprayed during an unlawful arrest at a protest in Rotorua early last year. In a court decision, Judge Weirs dismissed charges against Oosterman but said that he had “real concern” for the use of pepper spray and had forwarded a copy of his decision to the Police Commissioner.

Read the court decision relating to pepper spraying:

ENDS