October 29, 2012
Family sees no reason in Iti appeal dismissal
The family of Tūhoe activist Tame Iti says they are still waiting for reason to kick in.
The Court of Appeal yesterday turned down appeals by Iti and three others against conviction and sentence on firearms charges.
The court said the judge was able to make the findings of fact that he did about the paramilitary purpose of camps run in Te Urewera in 2007, even though the jury was unable to agree on the charge the four were part of an organised criminal group.
His son Wairere Iti says it has been a political trial, and that continues.
“All the common sense in the world doesn’t really seem to apply. There are inconsistencies to reason where you think ‘we’ve got a good shot’ only to realise that we don’t really have any control over it and they get to decide how they want to decide,” he says.
Mr Iti says Tame Iti has always spoken out against abuse of power, and now that power is being used against him.
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