Five further arrests in protest saga

Five more people were arrested yesterday in a running battle over alleged police brutality.

The protesters - four women and a man - turned up at the Auckland District Court to support a fellow activist who was one of four arrested at the weekend at an anti-war demonstration in Queen St.

About 20 people aligned with the group Global Peace and Justice Auckland marched from Aotea Square before yesterday's court hearing with a mock coffin to symbolise the "death of democracy" from alleged police brutality, which they claim was displayed at the weekend.

They were met by a similar number of police, and the five were arrested trying to enter a courtroom in support of Simon Aart Oosterman, who claims to have been assaulted on Saturday by an officer while in a patrol car.

Oosterman, dressed in a black cape which he says is similar to one worn by a torture victim at the United States-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, pleaded not guilty to a charge of obstructing police and was remanded until next month.

The 24-year-old union worker was also remanded until November for a defended hearing on a charge of indecent exposure while trying to lead a naked cycle ride through central Auckland last month against oil dependency, which he blames for the war in Iraq.

Inspector Jim Wilson, Auckland police operations manager, said the protesters were arrested after court staff asked them to leave for trying to carry small banners into court.

Oosterman said afterwards that they left their banners outside.

The five were released on bail to appear in court on trespass charges tomorrow, when Global Peace and Justice Auckland has promised to turn up as well.

After Oosterman and other activists left court they protested outside the Auckland Central police station as their colleagues were inside.

Official complaints have been filed with the Police Complaints Authority and Police Commissioner Rob Robinson.