Waihopai spy base attackers charged 

The three men involved in a daring dawn raid on the Waihopai spy base outside Blenheim, have been charged with intentional damage and entering a building with intention to commit a crime.

The accused belong to the protest group Waihopai Anzac Ploughshares.

On Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Aotearoa Ploughshares, Manu Caddie, said according to the activists they felt they were just being faithful as to how they understand the Gospels and their faith in terms of peace-making and following Jesus.

One of the three, Peter Murnane, a Dominican friar has previously known to clash with authorities.

Nine years ago he helped a group of asylum seekers, who were on a hunger strike, stay in New Zealand. He was also a supporter of Algerian asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui.

Little is known about co-accused Adrian Leason, except that he worked in the national office of Child, Youth and Family until three years ago.

The third man, Sam Land, was arrested in 2006 for a protest at the Pine Gap Spy Base, near Alice Springs.

It is alleged the men sneaked through heavy security and cut their way through fences to get next to one of the inflatable domes that cover sensitive satellite dishes. They then allegedly slashed it with a sickle.

The three then photographed themselves breaking in. They put images on the internet that show them holding up signs and placing a shrine on the site calling for peace.

Bruce Ferguson, the Government Communications Security Bureau Director, says cameras at the base did not pick up anything because of the fog.

"Our infrared cameras weren't picking up anything because we couldn't see though the fog, our infrared beams couldn't pick up anything because they cant penetrate fog there were all sorts of problems," says Ferguson.

The raid has brought condemnation from the Prime Minister, who called it a senseless act of criminal vandalism.

The three are facing possible jail terms and if charged under the Terrorism Act, they face up to 14 years in prison.

If they are charged for vandalism, they face a maximum of six years.