By 3 News online staff
A Bay of Plenty farmer accused of blowing up his car in a crowded Wellington mall is expected to enter a plea today.
Chris Palenski, 40, will appear in the Wellington District Court charged with arson after allegedly driving his car into Cuba Mall last Saturday afternoon and setting it alight. The car exploded causing the windows to blow out.
The explosion, which occurred around 1:30pm, stunned nearby shoppers but no one was injured.
Two men tried to extinguish the fire until the fire brigade arrived.
Prior to the explosion, Palenski wrote a politically charged message on the pavement: "What is fractional reserve banking? Google it!"
It is understood the farmer was upset about the banking system used in most countries under which banks keep just a fraction of deposits and lend out the rest.
Palenski will represent himself in court and faces up to seven years in prison.
3 News