BLENHEIM, New Zealand, April 30 (UPI) -- Three people were arrested in a vandalism attack on the Waihopai spy base in New Zealand Wednesday, authorities said.
Authorities charged the men with damaging a satellite cover at the base near Blenheim, Radio New Zealand reported.
Anzac Ploughshares spokesperson Manu Caddie said the three used wire cutters to cut through an electrified fence and razor wire, then evaded motion sensors before deflating the dome covering the satellite. Caddie, whose group claimed responsibility for the incident, said the station was a waste of taxpayers' money and its purpose unclear.
Bruce Ferguson, Government Communications Security Bureau director, said fog prevented base cameras from picking up the three intruders' movements.
"Our infrared cameras weren't picking up anything because we couldn't see though the fog; our infrared beams couldn't pick up anything because they can't penetrate fog. (There) were all sorts of problems," Ferguson said.
The raid has brought condemnation from New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who called the act "senseless vandalism," TVNZ One News reported.
If charged under the Terrorism Act, the three could be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison. If they are charged for the vandalism, they could be sentenced a maximum of six years.
