More court action over raids

Published: 8:10AM Friday November 02, 2007

Source: ONE News/Newstalk ZB

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The hearing for the 16 people who were arrested in the anti-terrorist raids has wrapped up at the Auckland District Court.

Auckland student Omar Hamed, 19, appeared on four firearms charges and was denied bail, along with veteran Tuhoe activist Tame Iti's nephew Rawiri Iti who had been seeking bail for the second time.

The defence counsel argued there had been a change in Rawiri Iti's case since bail was first refused by Judge Bouchier but the judge rejected that claim.

Iti has been remanded until November 23 when his lawyer will apply for electronic bail.

Earlier Judge Treston denied bail for Hamed, but suppressed all details about the decision. Hamed will remain in Auckland Central Remand prison and his continued detention was met with an emotional response from his supporters, including his mother and sister who broke down in the public gallery.

Supporters in the public gallery consistently voiced support for the various accused throughout the day.

Two other accused have image suppression - Wellington-based Valerie Morse and Emily Bailey - whose twin brothers Rongomai and Ira are also jointly charged.

Most of the others arrested so far had their names suppressed, although news media organisations have been pressing to have the right to make their identities public.

Meanwhile, top lawyer Peter Williams QC is heading to Ruatoki in the Bay of Plenty to speak to people caught up in the searches which accompanied the raids, and discuss possible breaches of their civil liberties.

Williams says he suspects police carried out an organised campaign to keep everyone in the area under control while the raids were going on.

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