By Lucy Adautin
Former New Zealand lawmaker Golriz Ghahraman faced a shoplifting conviction and fine on Thursday, a scandal that has marred the career of the centre-left politician.
Ghahraman, New Zealand’s first refugee elected to parliament, withdrew from political duties on January 16, citing mental health reasons.
The following day, police charged the former Green Party rising star with shoplifting from boutique stores.
In March, Ghahraman admitted guilt to four counts of shoplifting, involving approximately NZ$9,000 worth (US$5,500) of items taken late last year from Auckland and Wellington shops.
At Auckland District Court, the 43-year-old was fined NZ$1,600 and ordered to pay NZ$260 in costs, according to the deputy registrar.
Judge June Jelas, noting Ghahraman’s remorse, restitution for stolen items, and first-time offence, opted against a jail term.
In a televised interview aired Thursday on TVNZ, Ghahraman disclosed she resorted to shoplifting to exit politics amid stress.
“It was self-sabotage,” she confessed. “My greatest regret is causing distress and harm by not addressing my issues sooner.”
Born in Iran, Ghahraman sought asylum in New Zealand as a child with her family.
After pursuing law and serving as a UN human rights lawyer on international tribunals, she entered parliament in 2017.
Former Green Party co-leader James Shaw cited Ghahraman as facing “constant threats” from her parliamentary debut, escalating pressure preceding her offences.
