The trial of three peace activists accused of causing damage to the Waihopai base in Marlborough continues in Wellington today.

Peter Murnane, Adrian Leason and Sam Land face charges of intentional damage after one of the domes at the so-called spy base was slashed with a sickle two years ago. The Crown is arguing that the accused were acting unlawfully by forcing their way onto the base and intentionally damaging the structure.

Murnane, Leason and Land claim they were justified in "disarming" the dome as they were protecting overseas civilians from the ongoing war on terror.