15 Sep 2011

Crown details allegations against Urewera Four

9:28 pm on 15 September 2011

More details have emerged about what the Crown says were crimes planned by people charged in the Urewera raids.

Four people, including Tuhoe activist Tame Iti, will stand trial next year charged with firearms offences and being members of a criminal organisation.

They include intent to commit offences of murder, arson, endangering public transport, and kidnapping.

The Crown is not alleging there were specific victims intended, but that the four accused had a general intention to commit those offences as members of an organised criminal group.

Crown Solicitor Ross Burns says the details were included at the request of the defence.

Mr Burns says the Crown believes its evidence against the Urewera Four is robust, otherwise it would not be proceeding.

Charges against another 13 people were dropped last week, after it was found there was insufficient evidence to proceed.