Jail Terms for Two of the Urewera Four

These people have already lost their lives for almost five years. This sentence is a perversion of what goes by the name of democracy in this country.

Prison sentences for two of Urewera Four

A High Court judge in Auckland has said those convicted following the Urewera raids were establishing a private militia at camps near Ruatoki in Bay of Plenty, and had serious intent.

Reuters,

26 April, 2012

Tame Iti and the man Justice Hansen called Iti's lieutenant, Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara, have been sentenced to two years and six months' jail for having firearms and molotov cocktails at the camps.

Sentencing the so-called Urewera Four in the High Court at Auckland on Thursday, Justice Hansen said the private militia was was a frightening prospect and against New Zealanders' way of life.

A jury in March found Iti, Kemara, Urs Signer and Emily Bailey guilty of having firearms and molotov cocktails.

The jury was not able to decide on the main charge, of being part of an organised criminal group

On Thursday, Justice Hansen indicated Signer and Bailey would be sentenced to a term of nine months, but adjourned their case in order to look into if that can be served at home.

Iti and his supporters in the gallery performed a haka as the judge was delivering his sentence. Bailey cried while her sentence was delivered, and other people shook and and cried after the sentences were delivered.

The four were among 18 people arrested in police raids in Auckland, Wellington and the Bay of Plenty in 2007.

The Crown lawyer Ross Burns said the defence lawyers would seek a discharge without conviction. but that was not appropriate because the group committed serious crimes.

He said a maximum prison sentence of four years should be imposed

Prison opposed

One of the original accused says none of the four should be sent to prison.

Omar Hamed, who was originally charged with the others, says the case has gone on for more than 4½ years and they should not be put behind bars.