Urewera raids evidence suppressed

The police counter-terrorism operation has been generating protest action for the past four years. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Supreme Court has suppressed any reporting of the arguments it is hearing today and tomorrow over the 12 accused in the case that involved police raids on camps in the Ureweras, in the eastern Bay of Plenty four years ago.

The latest legal action comes after the Court of Appeal recently upheld a High Court ruling denying most of the accused a jury trial.

They are due to be tried before a judge alone at Auckland later this month and this week's hearing is dealing with pre-trial arguments.

The trial, due to begin on May 30, is expected to last up to three months.

Fifteen people are charged with firearms offences, and some of them are also charged with taking part in an organised criminal group.

Three others are separately charged with firearms charges, with a trial date yet to be set.

The case relates to camps on Tuhoe land near Ruatoki in 2006 and 2007, culminating in a series of raids in October 2007.

- NZPA