Funkaloyd
12-10-2004, 04:12 PM
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_national_story_skin/463451%3fformat=html
I've posted on this once or twice in this forum. Here's an update.
Zaoui finally gets to leave jail
Dec 10, 2004
The Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui is now out of prison for the first time in two years.
He left Auckland's Central Remand Prison on Thursday night, with about 100 supporters cheering him on. As he left he thanked supporters and said it was good to be free.
Earlier the Supreme Court ruled he be immediately released on bail into the care of the the Dominican Friars in Auckland, on condition he report to the police twice a week and observe a night-time curfew.
In announcing the court's decision, Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias said Zaoui has already been in custody for two years and transferring him to the Mangere Refugee Centre would be a continuation of his detention.
Elias said the granting of bail is subject to a number of conditions. She said Zaoui and the Dominican Friars must sign undertakings that they will comply with the bail conditions by next Wednesday.
Earlier Zaoui's lawyer told the Supreme Court that New Zealand has nothing to fear if he is released from prison.
The five judges retired shortly after midday to consider their decision on whether or not to grant Zaoui bail or transfer him to the Mangere Refugee Centre.
In a brief submission to the court Rodney Harrison QC said Zaoui could be released to the Dominican Friars on condition that he report to police twice a week and observe a 7am to 11pm curfew.
Solicitor General Terence Arnold QC told the court that the Crown could accept Zaoui being transferred to the Mangere Refugee Centre but was opposed to the granting of bail.
Attorney-General Margaret Wilson has indicated the Crown has no plans to challenge the bail conditions imposed by the Supreme Court. In a brief statement, Wilson says the government has always said that it will abide by the decisions of the Supreme Court.
Zaoui, who has been deemed a potential risk to national security, was locked up in December 2002 without a charge being laid against him.
He arrived in Auckland on a false passport and immediately asked for, and was eventually granted, refugee status.
Zaoui spend 10 months in solitary confinement before being shifted to Auckland Central Remand prison.
He has remained in custody while a review of his security risk certificate is carried out by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.
The Supreme Court said it was a matter of balancing national security against the rights of refugees.
The Algerian military maintains Zaoui is a key member of a radical paramilitary organisation called the Armed Islamic Group.
Zaoui was elected to the Algerian Parliament in 1991 but fled after the army took over, fearing an Islamic revolution.
Belgian authorities charged Zaoui with possession of arms and explosives, and he was imprisoned even though a court found there was a lack of proof in his case.
He tried to find refuge in Europe but because of his alleged ties with the GIA, Switzerland paid Burkina Faso Africa to take him.
From there he went to South Africa and then to Asia with his family, before arriving in New Zealand in December 2002 carrying a false South African passport.
His supporters in New Zealand deny he has terrorist links. Many in New Zealand's Algerian community support Zaoui's plight and high ranking clergy from Christian churches have visited him in prison.
When Belgian authorities charged Zaoui with possession of arms and explosives, a court found there was a lack of proof in his case but still imprisoned him.
Allegations against Zaoui
The SIS has released a summary document of allegations against Zaoui but it does not include classified information that would expose intelligence sources.
The document lists concerns including Zaoui's use of a false passport, a home-made video of parts of Asia considered to be a "casing" video and his past convictions in Europe.
His lawyers say the summary is an utterly flimsy document which raises no evidence against him that has not already been dealt with.
Zaoui is still barred from seeing any classified information and lawyer Deborah Manning has said the allegations are inadequate.
"Importantly... we must consider what this summary does not say. Ahmed is not accused or suspected of any activities relating to espionage, sabotage, terrorism or subversion."
Zaoui's wife, Leila Tidjani, is in hiding in South-East Asia with their four children - the couple have been married for 19 years.
The United Nations is currently looking at Leila Tidjani's case. She has also applied for refugee status in the country where she and her family are hiding.
She is still hopeful they will eventually be able to live in New Zealand.
Waiting for the security risk assessment
Former Solicitor-General Paul Neazor is the man in charge of carrying out the security risk assessment.
He was named as SIS Inspector-General of Security and Intelligence following the resignation of Laurie Grieg in March.
Grieg resigned after the High Court ruled he could not impartially hear the case against Zaoui.
Grieg gave interviews to the Listener magazine and One News about the Zaoui case, then sought advice from the Prime Minister's media advisor and the head of the SIS.
I've posted on this once or twice in this forum. Here's an update.
Zaoui finally gets to leave jail
Dec 10, 2004
The Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui is now out of prison for the first time in two years.
He left Auckland's Central Remand Prison on Thursday night, with about 100 supporters cheering him on. As he left he thanked supporters and said it was good to be free.
Earlier the Supreme Court ruled he be immediately released on bail into the care of the the Dominican Friars in Auckland, on condition he report to the police twice a week and observe a night-time curfew.
In announcing the court's decision, Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias said Zaoui has already been in custody for two years and transferring him to the Mangere Refugee Centre would be a continuation of his detention.
Elias said the granting of bail is subject to a number of conditions. She said Zaoui and the Dominican Friars must sign undertakings that they will comply with the bail conditions by next Wednesday.
Earlier Zaoui's lawyer told the Supreme Court that New Zealand has nothing to fear if he is released from prison.
The five judges retired shortly after midday to consider their decision on whether or not to grant Zaoui bail or transfer him to the Mangere Refugee Centre.
In a brief submission to the court Rodney Harrison QC said Zaoui could be released to the Dominican Friars on condition that he report to police twice a week and observe a 7am to 11pm curfew.
Solicitor General Terence Arnold QC told the court that the Crown could accept Zaoui being transferred to the Mangere Refugee Centre but was opposed to the granting of bail.
Attorney-General Margaret Wilson has indicated the Crown has no plans to challenge the bail conditions imposed by the Supreme Court. In a brief statement, Wilson says the government has always said that it will abide by the decisions of the Supreme Court.
Zaoui, who has been deemed a potential risk to national security, was locked up in December 2002 without a charge being laid against him.
He arrived in Auckland on a false passport and immediately asked for, and was eventually granted, refugee status.
Zaoui spend 10 months in solitary confinement before being shifted to Auckland Central Remand prison.
He has remained in custody while a review of his security risk certificate is carried out by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.
The Supreme Court said it was a matter of balancing national security against the rights of refugees.
The Algerian military maintains Zaoui is a key member of a radical paramilitary organisation called the Armed Islamic Group.
Zaoui was elected to the Algerian Parliament in 1991 but fled after the army took over, fearing an Islamic revolution.
Belgian authorities charged Zaoui with possession of arms and explosives, and he was imprisoned even though a court found there was a lack of proof in his case.
He tried to find refuge in Europe but because of his alleged ties with the GIA, Switzerland paid Burkina Faso Africa to take him.
From there he went to South Africa and then to Asia with his family, before arriving in New Zealand in December 2002 carrying a false South African passport.
His supporters in New Zealand deny he has terrorist links. Many in New Zealand's Algerian community support Zaoui's plight and high ranking clergy from Christian churches have visited him in prison.
When Belgian authorities charged Zaoui with possession of arms and explosives, a court found there was a lack of proof in his case but still imprisoned him.
Allegations against Zaoui
The SIS has released a summary document of allegations against Zaoui but it does not include classified information that would expose intelligence sources.
The document lists concerns including Zaoui's use of a false passport, a home-made video of parts of Asia considered to be a "casing" video and his past convictions in Europe.
His lawyers say the summary is an utterly flimsy document which raises no evidence against him that has not already been dealt with.
Zaoui is still barred from seeing any classified information and lawyer Deborah Manning has said the allegations are inadequate.
"Importantly... we must consider what this summary does not say. Ahmed is not accused or suspected of any activities relating to espionage, sabotage, terrorism or subversion."
Zaoui's wife, Leila Tidjani, is in hiding in South-East Asia with their four children - the couple have been married for 19 years.
The United Nations is currently looking at Leila Tidjani's case. She has also applied for refugee status in the country where she and her family are hiding.
She is still hopeful they will eventually be able to live in New Zealand.
Waiting for the security risk assessment
Former Solicitor-General Paul Neazor is the man in charge of carrying out the security risk assessment.
He was named as SIS Inspector-General of Security and Intelligence following the resignation of Laurie Grieg in March.
Grieg resigned after the High Court ruled he could not impartially hear the case against Zaoui.
Grieg gave interviews to the Listener magazine and One News about the Zaoui case, then sought advice from the Prime Minister's media advisor and the head of the SIS.