Linton soldier charged with spying and computer access for ‘dishonest purpose’

A New Zealand Defense Forces soldier who has been linked to a far-right group faces espionage charges.

The force’s director of military prosecutions has brought 17 charges against the 27-year-old soldier, who was based out of Linton military camp.

The soldier, who has name deletion, will face a court martial.

He faces 17 charges (some of which are alternative charges):

• Four of espionage;

• Two of attempted espionage;

• Two of possession of an objectionable publication;

• Three of accessing a computer system for a dishonest purpose;

• One of performing an act that may impair the discipline of the Service or discredit the Service;

• One of negligence in the breach of duty; Y

• Four charges for noncompliance with written orders.

The soldier was arrested at the Linton base in December.

At the time it was reported that he was suspected of being a member of a far-right group.

That raised concerns that white supremacists may be infiltrating the New Zealand military.

The extremist group Wargus Christi claimed online that the arrested soldier was part of their organization, RNZ reported. It described itself as a “Christian martial-monastic brotherhood.”

In an internet chat room, the members talked about how the man was removed from the group after news of an investigation.