He raised the idea with his mother when he turned 16 but she tried to stop him, the newspaper reported. He described his mother as “very anti-government” and “anti-vax” who was concerned he would be placed into the care system if he went home. She repeatedly warned Alex not to become a “slave to the system”, the newspaper reported. In fact, the trek was shorter but he said he lied to police in an attempt to protect his mother and grandfather from being arrested by officers. His mother - who used the name Rose - is understood to be planning to travel to Finland.

Source: Stuff December 22, 2023 17:50 UTC