Allegations that a monitoring station in New Zealand is a US spy base have been formally rebutted by the organisation that runs it.
The allegations have been made by three peace activists who slashed the cover of a satellite dish at the Waihopai base in in Marlborough in 2008.
In March this year, a jury in Wellington acquitted Dominican friar Peter Murnane, Adrian Leason and Sam Land of causing intentional damage.
In defending their actions, the protesters alleged that the Waihopai base was part of the US war machine and was guilty of crimes against humanity and the use of depleted uranium. They said by damaging the satellite, they were saving the lives of people in Iraq.
However, the current and former directors of the Government Communications Security Bureau, Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson and Dr Warren Tucker, say nothing has been done at the Waihopai base which conflicts with government policy in opposition to the war in Iraq.
The men also deny that the Waihopai station is a US-run spy base and it does nothing to contribute to torture, war, or weapons of mass destruction, as the protesters alleged.
Crown a bad loser, says saboteur
One of the Waihopai spy base saboteurs says the Crown is just being a bad loser by suggesting it may sue them for $1.1 million.
Solicitor-General David Collins says the Crown cannot appeal against the March verdicts, but it may launch a civil suit to recover damages.
Adrian Leason says the activists' net worth is about $900 and believes Dr Collins is probably just sabre rattling.
However, the co-director of International Relations and Security Studies at Waikato University, Ron Smith, says a lawsuit would be an important deterrent for other protest groups.
At their trial in the High Court, the trio argued they had acted for the greater good, believing that disabling the base would save lives in Iraq.
But Auckland University associate law professor Bill Hodge says that argument will not work in a civil suit and describes the Crown case as invincible.
The Global Peace and Justice group is outraged the Crown is continuing to pursue the men, despite their acquittal. Spokesperson John Minto say it is a vicious attempt to get them back.
Group willing to donate funds
A group that supports the activists says it is willing to donate funds to if the Crown takes a civil suit against them.
The trio received more than $50,000 in legal aid for March case, along with $5,000 from up to 200 supporters.
A spokesperson for the Anti-Bases Campaign, Murray Horton, says it would financially support Father Murnane, Adrian Leason and Sam Land again if a new case is brought.
