[IPSM] BBC: NZ police hold 17 in terror raids (aimed at Maori sovereignty and environmental activists) ...

[Jaggi Singh]

NZ police hold 17 in terror raids

New Zealand police have arrested 17 people and seized a number of
weapons during a series of anti-terror raids.

More than 300 police were involved in the operation, reportedly aimed
at Maori sovereignty and environmental activists - not foreign groups.

The head of New Zealand's police, Howard Broad, said those held had
been in military-style training camps.

The North Island raids were the first use by the authorities of the
country's Terrorism Suppression Act.

Police Commissioner Broad told reporters his officers had information
that a number of suspects had used firearms and other weapons at
training camps.

Those targeted were from "a range of motivations" and from various
ethnicities, he said.

"Based on the information and the activity known to have taken place,
I decided it was prudent that action should be taken in the interests
of public safety," Mr Broad said.

Media reports said the raids came after months of work by anti-terror police.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7044448.stm