Family put in witness protection

A criminal charge Karel Sroubek faced resulted in police placing a family in the New Zealand witness protection programme.

National leader Simon Bridges revealed the information about the drug smuggler granted residency while serving jail time. He asked Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during question time if she was aware of the situation.

Ardern said there were several reasons the Government had gone back to Immigration to seek further clarification. ‘‘When we are in a position to share more information on the case, then we will do so,’’ she said.

In a statement, Bridges said court documents showed Sroubek was accused of such serious crimes a witness against him was put under protection.

‘‘In 2009, Sroubek and his associates were accused of aggravated robbery and blackmailing a man,’’ he said.

The same man had previously made an assault complaint against Sroubek only to withdraw it after receiving threatening text messages.

‘‘Following further disagreements over money, the witness was allegedly assaulted by four men’’ The witness claimed Sroubek and other Hells Angels associates were his attackers. ‘‘Court documents show after these incidents the witness went to police before he and his family were placed under witness protection.’’ They were very serious allegations made against a very serious criminal, Bridges said.

‘‘How on earth was a gang associate convicted of fraud and drug dealing and accused of assault and extortion allowed to stay in New Zealand? These court documents are in the public domain and the Government should have considered them before deciding he deserved to remain in New Zealand, making our communities less safe.’’

The witness claimed Sroubek and other Hells Angels associates were his attackers.