Wilkes ‘fighting stiff penalties’

Press, 15 February 1982, Page 4

Wilkes ‘fighting stiff penalties’

By

KEN COATES

in London

The New Zealand peace researcher. Owen Wilkes, is fighting against stiff penalties imposed by courts in Norway and Sweden as a result of his gathering information the authorities considered should be kept secret. Under Swedish law. he can appeal against a six-month jail sentence for gross unauthorised access to secret information on defence installations by applying for a hearing to the Stockholm High Court. He is permitted to bring new witnesses and new evidence. It is expected that his case will be heard in about 10 weeks.

Wilkes- is also considering bringing a civil action against the Oslo police on the ground that they took possession of material confiscated by the Swedish security police at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

He says this was material on sites in Norway, but had no bearing on the trial of himself and a Norwegian. Nils Petter Gleditsch, in Oslo.

The appeal against six months probation and fines of about $2200 each has finished in the Oslo Supreme Court and a decision is expected this week. Appealing against a sentence in this way in Norway runs the risk of a heavier sentence. The Stale prosecu-

tor has asked for a six-month jail sentence for the two men; defence counsel has argued that all charges should be dismissed. New Zealand television viewers will see a documentary in the "Close Up" series on Wilkes, his work, the peace movement, and the Peace Research Institute on March 3.

A New Zealand television camera crew, with Johrf Bishop (interviewer) and Anna Cottrell (producer), filmed Wilkes in Stockholm as well as at tourist spots and the court building.

The programme will include an interview with an Englishman. Mr Frank Blackaby. who is director of the Peace Research Institute.