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RNZ
A Linton soldier faces 17 charges, including espionage.
Espionage, dishonesty and negligence are among the 17 charges brought against a soldier.
The director of military prosecutions has decided that Linton’s private, who has name suppression, will face court martial, in a decision announced Wednesday.
The charges are four counts of espionage and two counts of attempted espionage; two of possession of an objectionable publication; three counts of accessing a computer system for a dishonest purpose; a charge of “performing an act that may impair the discipline of the service or discredit the service”; one count of negligent breach of duty; and four counts of noncompliance with written orders.
A Defense Force spokeswoman confirmed that the soldier was the 27-year-old arrested at the Linton military base in December. He remained under open arrest.
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A date has not yet been set for the defendant’s trial, says the Defense Force.
A spokeswoman for Defense Minister Peeni Henare said the minister would not comment on the matter as it was before the courts.
Espionage charges generally relate to circumstances in which it is alleged that someone communicated or attempted to communicate information to a country or organization outside of New Zealand.
