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Man charged with historic offence of sabotage

<p dir="ltr">A New Zealand man is believed to be the first person to be charged with sabotage in the country’s history - an offence originating during World War II to prevent foreign interference.</p> <p dir="ltr">Graham Philip, an IT professional and anti-vaccination campaigner from Taupō on the North Island, was charged with seven counts of wilful damage in December last year, before the charges were upgraded by the Crown to seven counts of sabotage in May.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the details surrounding the alleged offences are unknown after a High Court judge successfully sought a non-publication order, meaning that the details are to be kept secret, per the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/taupo-man-graham-philip-charged-with-sabotage-believed-to-be-first-in-new-zealand-history/ZHOBLOZT5JG5HI4UGXGUQUUHJ4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-fa89b0eb-7fff-7e5f-bee4-78727a469adf"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">It is understood that the judge made the order not to protect witnesses or out of fear of trial prejudice, but rather out of concern from authorities that publicising the details could lead to “copy-cat” offending.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/graham-philip1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Graham Philip, an IT professional and anti-vaccination campaigner, has been charged with multiple counts of sabotage in a historic first for New Zealand. Image: Free Graham Philip (Facebook)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Philip, who has been on remand in prison since charges were laid in December, has pleaded not guilty to all of the upgraded charges, which relate to New Zealand infrastructure.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the Crimes Act, sabotage is legally defined as any activity which impairs or impedes the operation of “any ship, vehicle, aircraft, arms, munitions, equipment, machinery, apparatus, or atomic or nuclear plant” on New Zealand shores.</p> <p dir="ltr">A charge of sabotage can also be laid if a person “damages or destroys any property which is necessary to keep intact for the safety or health of the public”.</p> <p dir="ltr">To be convicted of sabotage, a person must also have proven intent to prejudice the health or safety of the public, with each charge of sabotage carrying a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.</p> <p dir="ltr">Alexander Gillespie, a University of Waikato law professor who specialises in international and conflict law, told the <em>NZ Herald</em> that he isn’t aware of any instance where the charge of sabotage has been laid in New Zealand, primarily due to the offence being largely covered by modern terrorism legislation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It's a historical offence. A lot of the rules around sabotage came out in the Second World War when we were scared about foreign interference," Gillespie said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite this, the legislation has been kept after societal unrest led to concerns about homegrown offences.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Then there was a concern about sabotage at the 1951 Waterfront strike. It was kind of a pre-terrorism charge, it came from a period when there was public disorder, but not terrorism as we know it today,” Professor Gillesie said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It was mainly about the unions if I'm honest - the militant left. There were concerns some would do things like bring down bridges or destroy locomotives."</p> <p dir="ltr">Lawyer Matthew Hague, who is representing Mr Philip, also believes it is the first time someone has been charged with sabotage since the introduction of the Crimes Act in 1961.</p> <p dir="ltr">After Mr Philip unsuccessfully applied for bail in June, initial indications from court suggest that he won’t have his trial heard until late 2023, meaning he will have spent almost two years in prison before his case is heard.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ae5c21bd-7fff-a493-5e76-61dde35f2ca7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Free Graham Philip (Facebook)</em></p>

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Prince Charles rejects handshake from WW2 veteran

<p><span>Prince Charles respectfully rejected a handshake from a World War II veteran at a VJ Day 75 event.</span><br /><br /><span>The Prince of Wales, 71, and his wife Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall both attended a ceremony to commemorate all personnel who died during the war.</span><br /><br /><span>The event was held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Sunday.</span><br /><br /><span>Charles and Camilla had approached a group of veterans when one shakily stood from his seat to salute Prince Charles.</span><br /><br /><span>He then extended his hand to the heir for a hearty shake.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837383/prince-charles-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/78b0e13e7bd7467f82ca7891e97966ae" /><br /><br /><span>However the royal did not take the extended invitation while briskly walking to the ceremony at the time and only said just a few words to the veteran.</span><br /><br /><span>Prince Charles chatted to the veteran following the ceremony during which he chose to use a “namaste” gesture with the man.</span><br /><br /><span>Charles laid down a wreath at the Burma Railway Memorial near Mornington Crescent train station in Camden High Street in London as part of the ceremony.</span><br /><br /><span>Thousands of British civilian and military prisoners of war died of disease, starvation and maltreatment while they built the Burma Railway during the war.</span><br /><br /><span>The Burma Railway in its entirety is a 415-kilometre railway that runs between Ban Pong, Thailand, and Thanbyuzayat, Burma.</span><br /><br /><span>It was built by the Empire of Japan from 1940–1944 to supply troops and weapons in the Burma campaign of World War II.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CD6lvq8AS8E/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CD6lvq8AS8E/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Clarence House (@clarencehouse)</a> on Aug 15, 2020 at 8:47am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>The memorial to the deadly railway was unveiled on 21 September 2012.</span><br /><br /><span>The royal family began finding alternate ways to greet people during official appearances in 2020.</span><br /><br /><span>Among these royal members is Prince Charles who was diagnosed with the COVID-19 in March.</span><br /><br /><span>Charles, for the most part, chooses to greet people with a namaste gesture - both hands together in a prayer position and a small bow.</span><br /><br /><span>Prince Charles also led the UK in two minutes of silence to "remember the courage" of Commonwealth forces who fought during the war.</span><br /><br /><span>He told the veterans that the UK would never forget the sacrifice they and their friends made, saying they are "respected and cherished".</span><br /><br /><span>“All too often those who fought in the Far East have been labelled the forgotten army in the forgotten war," he said.</span><br /><br /><span>"Many of the soldiers, nurses and other personnel felt angered and disappointed at how they were treated when they finally returned from a war which, from the public's point of view, had ended on May 8, 1945.</span><br /><br /><span>"Today, in this hallowed place, and in the presence of all those gathered here or in their homes, or wherever they may be, let us affirm that they and the surviving veterans are not forgotten."</span><br /><br /><span>He finished up his speech by saying: "Rather you are respected, thanked and cherished with all our hearts and for all time.</span><br /><br /><span>"We salute all those who remain among us and offer our most heartfelt and undying gratitude for those who have gone before.</span><br /><br /><span>"Your service and your sacrifice, will echo through the ages."</span><br /><br /><span>He also honoured his father, Prince Philip, who witnessed the signing of Japan's surrender during the war when he was second-in-command on HMS Whelp docked in Tokyo Bay.</span></p>

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