Australia Will Release Convicts to Make Room in Prisons for Mass Arrests During Bush Visit
August 25th, 2007Via: Sidney Morning Herald:
The NSW Government has expanded the number of declared security zones for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
The new areas include the airport, the RAAF base at Richmond, around Kirribilli and Admiralty houses, Bondi Icebergs and Sheraton on the Park, the Hilton, the Observatory and the Marriott on College Street hotels.
Police will have enhanced stop, search and detain powers in these areas.
Deputy police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, said there were still no plans to close the Harbour Bridge or tunnel, but he urged motorists travelling to the airport to avoid the Eastern Distributor and be prepared for lengthy delays.
The details come as NSW Police admit they are preparing for “mass arrests” during the meeting.
They plan to quarantine at least 500 beds in jail cells ready for protesters who will be denied bail during the week-long forum.
At least 200 prisoners will be allowed to sleep in their own beds over the APEC long weekend of September 7-9 to free up cells after federal and state police asked the NSW Government to make space for the hundreds who might be arrested during the summit in Sydney.
