Angry exchanges as pair appear in court

CHRISTCHURCH: The court appearances of two people charged over distributing an objectionable publication were met with angry exchanges outside a Christchurch courthouse yesterday morning.

Hosts of farright conspiracy theory website Counterspin Media appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday accused of distributing an objectionable publication.

Kelvyn Alp and Hannah Spierer were arrested by police in Christchurch last week.

Alp was clapped and cheered as he entered court.

They were met by a smaller opposing group holding a large sign which read ‘‘Ka Ta Kotahi Tatoua — We stand united with Aroha for Our Muslim Whanau’’.

As the smaller group chanted and sang, it was verbally abused and racial comments were made.

Spierer (37) and Alp (51) each face three charges.

They are jointly charged that on February 23 this year at Wellington they distributed a documentary which has been deemed an objectionable publication under the Films, Videos and Publications Classifications Act 1993.

Alp is also charged individually with distributing the documentary. The pair are also both charged that on August 25 at Christchurch they failed to assist a person exercising a search power when requested to do so.

Spierer, is also accused of failing to supply identifying particulars, at the Christchurch police station on August 25.

When the case was called, they refused to stand in the dock.

They were then forcibly moved into the dock by police officers and court security.

They are due back in court on September 21 when Judge Jim Large said pleas would be required to be entered. — The