Police won’t charge Golriz Ghahraman over alleged shoplifting incident

Thursday, 23 January 2025

Former MP Golriz Ghahraman won’t be charged in relation to an alleged shoplifting incident in Auckland.

Police said the “public interest test” was not met.

Ghahraman said she was “pleased” with the decision and could now “move on”.

Police have decided not to file charges against former MP Golriz Ghahraman over a recent alleged shoplifting incident.

The incident is alleged to have occurred at the Pak N Save in Royal Oak on October 12, 2024, and was reported to police for investigation electronically using the Auror platform, which allows retailers to report alleged instances of theft.

“The item taken was valued at less than $40,” police said in a statement on Thursday.

Police said any investigation considers the Solicitor-General’s Guidelines for Prosecution, including factors such as evidential sufficiency and a public interest test.

Golriz Ghahraman outside the Auckland District Court last year.

“In this case, police have considered the public interest test was not met as well as taking other factors into account,” police said.

“Given the subject of this complaint has not been charged with an offence, they are entitled to privacy and we are limited in further comment around a number of specifics.”

Judge June Jelas lays out how Green MP Golriz Ghahraman $1600 worth of fines for theft will be distributed.

Ghahraman told Stuff, “I am pleased the police are not bringing charges and I can now move on.”

Last week, The Post reported Ghahraman was seen putting groceries into a tote bag which was sitting in a trolley.

It is understood she was approached by a staff member who had been watching her on CCTV and asked to leave the shop.

The Post reported Ghahraman’s response was that she was still shopping and wanted to pay for the groceries. She then left.

Ghahraman was convicted of shoplifting $8367 worth of goods from three different clothing stores in Ponsonby, Newmarket and Wellington last year.

She resigned from the Green Party shortly after the allegations came to light in January 2024.

Ghahraman unsuccessfully applied for a discharge without conviction due to her being in a mental health crisis at the time of her offending, linked to her receiving regular threats and abuse while she was an MP.

A medical report provided to the court said she had been diagnosed with complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Prolonged Duress Stress Disorder.

Despite Crown solicitor Alysha McClintock agreeing that Ghahraman had received “abhorrent” online abuse, Judge June Jelas convicted her of shoplifting and ordered her to pay a fine of $1600 and $260 in court costs.