The Wireless

Crown drops lawsuit against Waihopai protesters

08:31 am on 6 February 2014

The Crown has dropped its civil lawsuit against protesters who damaged the Government Communications Security Bureau listening station at Waihopai in Marlborough.

The three men were acquitted of causing intentional damage during a protest at the spy site in 2008. The Crown then filed a lawsuit for damages against them worth $1.2 million.

Adrian Leason, Father Peter Murnane and Sam Land were acquitted of causing intentional damage during a protest at the site.

The men entered the grounds of the station and deflated the dome covering two antennae, claiming it was helping what the United States so called the “War on Terror”.

Although acquitted, they were found liable for damages to the base by the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

The trio won't have to pay any of the court costs incurred in two failed hearings and have always said they did not have enough money to pay damages sought against them.

On Wednesday, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said the Crown stopped pursuing the court action as there was little chance that any money would be recovered.