Anti-terrorist operation leads to 17 arrests in New Zealand

Anti-terrorist operation leads to 17 arrests in New Zealand

Barbara McMahon in Sydney
Tuesday October 16, 2007
The Guardian

Seventeen people were arrested in New Zealand yesterday
amid allegations that they had taken part in guerrilla-style
training camps. The prominent Maori activist Tame Iti was
among those taken into custody. More than 300 police
were involved in the raids which also targeted political
and environmental activists.

Armed police and anti-terrorist officers raided houses in
the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Wellington,
Christchurch, Palmerston North and Hamilton.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad told a news conference
that the people who had been arrested "had a range of
motivations" and were from various ethnic groups. He
said that the raids had been carried out to "minimise risk
to lives and property", adding that this was a domestic
issue and that there was no evidence of an international
connection. Mr Broad said those arrested had been
charged with possession of semi-automatic rifles,
shotguns and Molotov cocktails, but that more serious
charges may follow.

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