PM adds to terrorist group list
The prime minister has added two international groups to the list of designated terrorist entities – taking the total to 20.
An Indonesian-based group, Jamaah Anshrout Daulah (JAD), and a Philippines-based entity, Maute Group, are now designated terrorist entities under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002, Jacinda Ardern said.
‘‘JAD and Maute Group have been responsible for planning and conducting violent terrorist acts against both government and civilian targets in Indonesia and the Philippines, respectively,’’ Ardern said.
‘‘These attacks have resulted in targeted and indiscriminate killing of civilians, including foreigners.
‘‘As a result of these designations, any assets the groups may have in New Zealand will be frozen.
‘‘It will be a criminal offence to carry out property or financial transactions with them,’’ she said.
‘‘Regardless of whether a group is designated a terrorist entity, fundraising for, recruiting, and harbouring terrorists are criminal offences in New Zealand.
‘‘New Zealand’s action in designating these groups supports international efforts to combat global terrorism,’’ she said.
The new designations takes the total number of terrorist entities recognised in New Zealand law up to 20.