Radio listener arrested

South African plane spotter Julian Swift was arrested earlier this year for the alleged illegal possession of an airband receiver and for listening in on several radio frequencies.

A South African press report quotes the Chair of the Port Elizabeth Amateur Radio Society Ashley Goosen ZS2AG as allegedly saying that they need to be licensed to possess an airband receiver legally.

The press report fails to say precisely which type of license would be required since there is no "airband listening" license in South Africa.

It appears this could turn into a classic case of the state determined to crush an individual. The press report says:
“The state has five witnesses – including the woman who sold Swift the receiver. They are not just determined to throw the book at Julian – they are still writing a telephone directory and War and Peace to throw at him.”

"Last week the state amended the charge sheet against Swift to include every frequency on his receiver."

Read the South African Weekend Post story at
http://www.weekendpost.co.za/article.aspx?id=613870

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