# @thevigilantheroes on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DNjcwT0SQFq
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66793536-thevigilantheroes-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/35816495ee.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-08-19T22:47:30.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vigilant Heroes (@thevigilantheroes) — https://gondola.cc/thevigilantheroes

## Caption

A New Zealand soldier has admitted to attempted espionage in a case that marks the nation’s first-ever conviction for spying. The man, whose name remains suppressed, was stationed at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North and pleaded guilty in a military court after prosecutors outlined how he tried to pass sensitive information to what he believed was a foreign agent.
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In 2019, he offered military directories, maps, security assessments, and even his own ID and login credentials. The charge sheet stated his actions were “likely to prejudice the security or defense of New Zealand.” But the “foreign agent” was, in fact, an undercover police officer monitoring extremist activity following the Christchurch mosque attacks earlier that year.
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The soldier came to the attention of authorities after expressing interest in defecting and his associations with nationalist groups. A search of his hard drive uncovered banned material linked to Christchurch gunman Brenton Tarrant, including the livestream of the massacre and the manifesto, possession of which is a crime in New Zealand.
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Originally facing 17 charges, he ultimately pleaded guilty to three: attempted espionage, unlawful possession of objectionable material, and accessing a military computer system dishonestly. Each carries a potential prison sentence of up to a decade.
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His lawyer insisted the groups he associated with were merely “friends with similar points of view,” but investigators considered his behavior a serious threat. A sentencing decision from a military panel is expected soon.
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The last espionage prosecution in New Zealand (not a military member, but a civilian....who was eventually acquitted) was in 1975.  The NZ military has declined further comment until the proceedings conclude....(note: images here are representative of NZ military…not actual participants in this case)….We’ll keep you updated: thevigilantheroes
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#spygames #LE #internationalnews #Pacific #court #espionage #NewZealand #military #justice #nationalsecurity

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## Tags

military, court, le, nationalsecurity, justice, spygames, newzealand, internationalnews, pacific, espionage

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