New Zealand Soldier Receives Two-Year Sentence for Espionage

A military court in New Zealand has sentenced a soldier to two years’ detention for attempted espionage on behalf of a foreign power. The soldier, whose identity remains suppressed, acknowledged his involvement in accessing a military computer system for dishonest purposes, as well as possessing objectionable material. The court martial convened at Linton Military Camp, near Palmerston North, revealed that the soldier had provided sensitive military base maps and photographs to an undercover officer posing as an agent for the foreign nation.

During the proceedings, it was disclosed that the soldier had been in possession of a livestreamed video of the tragic events on March 15, 2019, when Brenton Tarrant killed 51 worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch. Following the Christchurch attack, the soldier became a focus of police investigations targeting right-wing extremist groups, which he was allegedly a part of. The court heard that authorities learned he had “made contact with a third party, indicating that he was a soldier who was wanting to defect,” as stated in a summary presented by the prosecution.

This case marks a significant milestone, being the first espionage conviction in New Zealand’s history. The soldier was arrested in December 2019 and had been under what the New Zealand Defence Force termed “open arrest” for nearly the entirety of that period. He spent his time living on an army base, subject to a curfew, and was suspended from duty on full pay, amounting to over US$230,000 (NZ$400,000) since his arrest.

Despite the circumstances, the soldier experienced personal milestones during this time, marrying his wife and welcoming two children, with a third child expected soon. The court has opted to permanently suppress the identity of the foreign nation involved, leaving many questions unanswered.

The implications of this case resonate deeply within New Zealand, highlighting security concerns and the impact of extremism within the military. The sentence reflects the judiciary’s stance on national security and the importance of safeguarding sensitive information against espionage activities.