People-smuggler pleads guilty

A people-smuggler was convicted yesterday in Christchurch District Court of assisting an Iranian man to enter New Zealand on a forged passport.

Australian national Toby Lightnyn Fryz, 29, had been teaching English in Bangkok for three months when he became involved in the people-smuggling scheme, The Press reported.

With the help of a third person, named only as XXX, a forged Greek passport was obtained for an Iranian Fryz met in Bangkok.

The Iranian cannot be named as he is seeking refugee status.

The Iranian paid US$10,000 for the false passport and passage.

Prosecutor Kathryn Dalziel told the court the route taken was from Bangkok to Christchurch via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Beijing, Huangzhou, and Osaka.

The Iranian and XXX arrived at Christchurch International Airport early on August 14 last year. Fryz admitted meeting the Iranian but denied any involvement with XXX or that he assisted the Iranian to enter New Zealand illegally.

A few days later Fryz admitted his involvement in assisting the Iranian to enter New Zealand.

Fryz was to go on trial in Christchurch District Court yesterday but pleaded guilty to a single charge of assisting a person to enter New Zealand illegally.

Tony Greig, defending, said Fryz had been in custody since arriving in New Zealand in August.

Judge Brian Callaghan convicted and remanded him in custody for sentence this week.

Department of Labour group manager, border security, Api Fiso said the Iranian was one of about 20 people a year stopped by New Zealand border control officers for travelling on false documents.

"People-smuggling is an international concern and New Zealand is not exempt from it," Mr Fiso said.

"In 2005, 27 were refused entry ," Mr Fiso said.

- NZPA