A trio of "sovereign citizens" who locked themselves in the Dunedin Courthouse after plans to sue the court were foiled are expected to reappear today — in the dock.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said police were called to the courthouse about 2.30pm yesterday by security after a 62-year-old male, 58-year-old female and a 48-year-old male refused to leave the building.
They had entered with the intention of speaking to a judge as they wished to sue the court, Snr Sgnt Bond said.
It is understood the matter related to Family Court proceedings.
"They haven't had their demands met, so have locked themselves in a room."
The trio again refused to leave when about a dozen police officers arrived and trespassed them — the group were then arrested.
They refused to sign bail documents and were held overnight ahead of an expected court appearance this morning, all charged with trespass and refusing to provide a DNA sample.
The 62-year-old was also charged with refusing to supply photograph and fingerprints.
Snr Sgnt Bond said the group were "sovereign citizens" — people who, generally speaking, do not believe that government laws apply to them.
