IR-01-22-26425
14 September 2022
GM George
[FYI request #20433 email]
Dear GM George
Request for Information
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 1 September 2022, in
which you requested the fol owing:
The email titled "AVI YEMINI and Rukshan FERNANDES - Information sought -
Criminal History" reads: Wel ington has received information that the two above
named are believed to be Australian nationals intending to travel to NZ to join protest
activity at Parliament scheduled on 23 August 2022. NZ Police would like to stop the
two from entering NZ and URGENTLY seek any information regarding criminal
convictions or any information tending to show they are individuals of bad character,
associated to criminal Groups and Individuals or Far Right. NZ Police do not hold any
information on the two subjects. Further information: Both subjects are associated to
NZ social media commentator Chantel e Baker and are expected to join her at the
protest in Parliament, posing as reporters. • Avi YEMINI is noted by commentators as
a Far right extremism commentator. Avi Yemini has proudly cal ed himself at a
London protest in 2018- "the world's proudest Jewish Nazi" • Rukshan FERNANDES
is noted as a misinformation super spreader. Rukshan has been labelled as "hero" of
anti-mandate, anti-vax, anti-govt movement. Questions:
1. Is it standard procedure for Interpol NZ to fish for information they can use to
"stop" Australian citizens from crossing your border?
2. Why did NZ Police want to stop the Australian nationals from attending the
protest?
3. Who at NZ Police made the The email titled "AVI YEMINI and Rukshan
FERNANDES - Information sought - Criminal History" reads: Wel ington has
received information that the two above named are believed to be Australian
nationals intending to travel to NZ to join protest activity at Parliament scheduled
on 23 August 2022. NZ Police would like to stop the two from entering NZ and
URGENTLY seek any information regarding criminal convictions or any
information tending to show they are individuals of bad character, associated to
criminal Groups and Individuals or Far Right. NZ Police do not hold any
information on the two subjects.
Further information: Both subjects are associated to NZ social media commentator
Chantelle Baker and are expected to join her at the protest in Parliament, posing as
reporters. • Avi YEMINI is noted by commentators as a Far right extremism
commentator. Avi Yemini has proudly called himself at a London protest in 2018- "the
world's proudest Jewish Nazi" • Rukshan FERNANDES is noted as a misinformation
super spreader. Rukshan has been label ed as "hero" of anti-mandate, anti-vax, anti-
govt movement. Questions:
1. Is it standard procedure for Interpol NZ to fish for information they can use to
stop entry to New Zealand.
I request official documents regarding this matter to and from Interpol Wel ington
and Interpol Canberra.
The information you have requested has been withheld under the fol owing sections of
the OIA:
•
s6(a): as the making available of the information is likely to prejudice the security
or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the government of
New Zealand
•
s6(b): as the making available of this information would be likely to prejudice the
entrusting of information to the Government of New Zealand on a basis of
confidence by -
(i) the Government of any other country or any agency of such a
Government; or
(i ) any international organisation
•
s6(c): as the making available of the information is likely to prejudice the
maintenance of the law including the prevention, investigation and detection of
offences and the right to a fair trial
•
s9(2)(a): to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased
natural persons.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Steve Dunn
Director - International Services Group
New Zealand Police
Document Outline
