Terror raid trial could be country's largest

With 19 defendants, hundreds of witnesses and Maori translation, lawyers believe the trial of those arrested in police "anti-terror" raids last year might become one of the biggest in the country.

In Auckland District Court today Judge Graham Hubble set aside September for a depositions hearing for the 19 charged with firearms offences after the police raids.

The court also heard a request today from lawyer Annette Sykes, acting for one of the accused, Maori activist Tame Iti, for evidence to be taken in Maori and be translated.

However, the court was told of concerns the hearing could go longer than the four weeks already set aside and there was concern the depositions should not be broken into two hearings.

Several bail variations were granted today and the accused were excused from attending the next pre-depositions hearing next month before the main hearing in September.

Outside the court several protesters shouted their support for the accused as about 40 protesters gathered in the public gallery.

One of the lawyers said today that the depositions hearing could become one of the longest in New Zealand court history with 19 accused and 19 lawyers representing them and more than 300 witnesses. Each lawyer had the right to cross-examine each witness.

The arrests followed police "anti-terror" raids on alleged weapons-training camps.

Charges were originally laid under the Terrorism Suppression Act but Solicitor-General David Collins, QC ruled against the charges continuing under that legislation.

- NZPA