New Zealand Soldier Convicted of Espionage in Historic Case
A New Zealand soldier has been convicted of attempted espionage, marking a historic first for the nation’s military courts. The soldier, whose identity has not been disclosed, pleaded guilty to charges related to attempting to pass sensitive military information to a foreign entity. The conviction took place on March 15, 2024, in Wellington.
According to military court documents, the soldier believed he was in contact with a foreign agent in 2019. He attempted to share crucial military information, including base telephone directories, maps, assessments of security vulnerabilities, his identity card, and log-in details for military networks. The charge specified that his actions were “likely to prejudice the security or defense of New Zealand.”
In a twist, the individual he contacted was not a foreign agent but an undercover New Zealand police officer. This operation was part of broader efforts to monitor alleged right-wing extremist groups following the tragic terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch in March 2019, where an Australian white supremacist killed 51 people.
Court documents revealed that law enforcement became aware of the soldier during their investigation into nationalist groups. After expressing a desire to defect, he was approached by the undercover officer. A subsequent search of the soldier’s hard drive uncovered materials related to the Christchurch gunman, including a copy of his livestreamed attack and a manifesto. Possessing such materials without permission constitutes a criminal offense in New Zealand.
The soldier, who was stationed at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North, also pleaded guilty to accessing a military computer system for dishonest purposes. Originally facing 17 charges, the soldier’s case was streamlined to three counts, each carrying a maximum prison term of either seven or ten years.
His lawyer, Steve Winter, stated in court that the soldier considered the nationalist groups he was involved with as “no more than groups of friends with similar points of view.” Winter further emphasized that his client denied endorsing the ideology of the Christchurch shooter, Brenton Tarrant.
The conviction signifies the first instance of espionage charges in a New Zealand military court, a significant legal milestone. The last similar case occurred in 1975, when a public servant was acquitted of charges related to passing information to Russian agents.
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Army declined to comment until the legal proceedings are concluded. The soldier’s sentencing by a military panel is expected within days, closing a chapter on a case that highlights the complex intersection of national security and domestic extremism.
