Former Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman has been charged with a fourth count of shoplifting from an Auckland clothing store last year, according to the New Zealand Police. In response to media requests, a police spokesperson confirmed that the 43-year-old lawyer and former Green Party justice spokesperson will face another charge of theft in relation to an incident in Newmarket on Dec. 22, which was reported in late January.
The charge sheet shows Ms. Ghahraman accused of stealing a navy cardigan valued at $389 from upmarket retailer Standard Issue, which mirrors previous charges made in December related to thefts from other stores. These include stealing $695 worth of clothing from Wellington’s Cre8iveworx store on Oct. 22 and nearly $10,000 in clothing items from Scotties Boutique in Ponsonby on two separate occasions on Dec. 21 and 23. If convicted, the charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of seven years.
Ms. Ghahraman resigned as an MP on Jan. 16, citing extreme stress that led her to act out of character. She explained that her recent behavior was related to a stress response and unearthed trauma that she had not recognized before. She emphasized the need to focus on her mental health and recovery rather than remain in Parliament.
Ghahraman, who came to New Zealand as a child refugee from Iran, has a background in law and human rights work. She studied at the University of Auckland and earned a Master of Studies degree in International Human Rights Law with distinction from the University of Oxford. Her involvement in human rights issues, particularly in justice reform and refugee rights, has led her to work with the United Nations on trials prosecuting war crimes in various countries.
Despite her contributions to human rights causes, Ghahraman has faced criticism and controversy during her political career. She has been involved in high-profile disputes with other MPs and was once described as a “menace to freedom in New Zealand” by ACT Party leader David Seymour. The former MP has not yet entered a plea and was scheduled to appear in the Auckland District Court on Feb. 28 for her initial hearing, which has now been postponed to March 20.