Police seek seven on ’Bok tour ‘offences’

Press, 18 June 1982, Page 4

Police seek seven on ’Bok tour ‘offences’

PA Auckland Seven persons were still wanted by the Auckland police in ’ connection with “very serious offences” arising from anti-Springbok tour protests 10 months ago. said Assistant. Commissioner B. W. Gibson yesterday. Auckland’s police' chief said the seven were not being actively sought by police but were being summoned. not arrested, if discovered during other police inquiries, ’

Mr Gibson was answering criticisms raised by the antiapartheid group. HART in a telegram to the Minister of Police (Mr Couch), asking when the police would stop charging people for alleged tour offences. HART'S national chairman. Mr John Minto, said the group was angered that new charges were laid in Auck-

land on Tuesday. "This police action, coming so late, can only be described as vindictive and the public is entitled to ask when it will stop." he said. “Harassment such as this is constantly , reviving the bitterness and” division of the tour itself.” The telegram to Mr Couch asked whether the police were continuing to investigate complaints against their officers and bring fresh charges, and to continue to investigate the batoning of the "clowns" on the day of the third test. Mr Gibson said it was not for politicians to decide who would be prosecuted. The police were responsible for upholding the law. "We are not arresting people, they are being summonsed. We are not engaged in a campaign trying to run

the seven sought to earth. There is no vindictiveness or harassment involved. “These persons are wanted for serious offences arising from throwing stones and overturning a police car during the protests. "We know who they are and already have the evidence for a prosecution. Some people disappeared when the first prosecutions were brought and these seven are still to be charged." Mr Gibson said there was a warrant to arrest for an eighth person, a woman, who failed to appear when summonsed to court. “I think it would be unfair to other people who have already appeared before the courts if we did not allow the remaining protesters sought to have their day in court.".