New Zealand’s GCSB Avoid Police Charges Over Illegal Spying On Kim Dotcom

The New Zealand Herald reports that New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) has been let off facing police charges for illegally spying on Kim Dotcom, founder and owner of Mega and MegaUpload. Despite Green Party co-leader Russel Norman filing a complaint against the GCSB no further action will be taken against New Zealand’s NSA-equivalent.

“Detective Superintendent Peter Read said today that while there was one occasion of illegal activity under the Crimes Act, there was not the element of criminal intent needed to show the GCSB was were criminally liable.”

Despite being let off without disciplinary action the GCSB were still criticsed for poor performance:

“Mr Read said while there was no criminal liability by the GCSB, police did identify a number of shortcomings” in the handling of the interception requests, including the GCSB had an incorrect understanding of the Immigration Act 2009 and how it related to the GCSB Act.”

The prosecutors, on behalf of Dotcom, stated that the so called “independent” overseer of the case, senior barrister Kristy McDonald, is working for the police in the case against Kim Dotcom. They say that outcome is is just another example of the failings of New Zealand’s spy agencies not being held accountable.

Image courtesy of the GCSB