Did China burgle an academic?

The Herald reports:

An investigation into the burglary of a professor whose work exposed China’s influence in New Zealand has led detectives offshore with inquiries raising questions over a possible intelligence operation.

Five police staff have worked over the past seven months investigating the February burglary of the home of University of Canterbury Professor Anne-Marie Brady, as well as other break-ins at her office on campus.

After months of silence this week police revealed progress had been made on the case, and Interpol – the international police co-operation agency – were also involved.

When this first happened I thought it was just a random burglary. But if the Police are working with Interpol, that strongly suggests they believe there is an international connection to this, and China is the logical suspect.

The developments raise the prospects of diplomatic clash with China after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in February if Brady’s complaints about being targeted for her work were borne out her government would “be taking stock and taking action”.

The Prime Minister was more reserved yesterday, with a spokesperson for her office saying: “It would not be appropriate for her to comment on an active police investigation.”

The PM is right not to comment at this stage. But if the evidence points to a conclusion that the burglary was done at the behest of a foreign government, then the NZ Government has to respond strongly.