National raises Sroubek link to burgled property

WELLINGTON: A $2.3 million house was burgled just days after Czech man Karel Sroubek lodged a financial interest in the property, National Party deputy leader Paula Bennett said in Parliament yesterday.

The revelations are the latest in the Sroubek case, which Immigration NZ is reviewing after new allegations came to light that, if true, would contradict the reasons for which he was granted New Zealand residency.

On Tuesday, it emerged that Mr Sroubek placed a caveat on the title of a property in Remuera on October 26. The property was advertised at $2.3 million, but has since been withdrawn from sale.

Mr Sroubek’s inlaws, who appear to live in Russia, are listed as the property’s owners, and court documents show Mr Sroubek had paid more than $160,000 towards clearing a loan held on the house.

During question time in Parliament yesterday, Ms Bennett asked Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern whether Immigration NZ’s investigation would consider a burglary at the property.

‘‘Will new information being looked at in the Karel Sroubek case include the burglary of his estranged wife’s house just days after Sroubek learnt it had gone on the market?’’

Ms Bennett then asked if Immigration NZ would examine whether police questioned Sroubek about the burglary, and if there was any information about ‘‘recent intimidation by Karel Sroubek’’.

Responding on behalf of the prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said National was after ‘‘some cheap political points’’, and said the investigation would find out all the relevant information.

Speaking during the general debate, Ms Bennett said Immigration Minister Iain LeesGalloway had done the ‘‘bare minimum’’ to make a decision most people would find ‘‘abhorrent’’.

She listed all the offences Mr Sroubek had been charged with, as well as the house she said had been burgled.

‘‘When the house goes on for sale, which he didn’t want to happen because he put a caveat on it, the house has been burgled.’’

Justice spokesman Mark Mitchell and immigration spokesman Michael Woodhouse pressed Mr LeesGalloway in question time about the breakin.

But Mr LeesGalloway repeatedly declined to answer, saying he did not want to prejudice the investigation.