Destiny Church Leader Brian Tamaki has pleaded not guilty to three Human Rights Act charges of inciting racial disharmony at Manukau District Court on Monday.
The charges related to alleged “abusive” and “insulting” Facebook posts made in June, reportedly linked to comments about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and calls to remove Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims from New Zealand.
Tamaki framed the prosecution as a major blow to free speech, claiming his remarks were directed at religious beliefs and foreign political leaders rather than race.
He was granted bail with no conditions, and will return to court on 25 January.
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