The Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui is no longer a security threat
The country’s spy agency, the Security Intelligence Service, has decided
The Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui is no longer a security threat
Source: Radio New Zealand, September 13, 2007
At a media conference in Wellington on Thursday afternoon the director of the SIS, Warren Tucker, announced it had withdrawn the security risk certificate, which categorised Mr Zaoui a threat to national security.
The decision comes after a four-week hearing that was held in secret.
Mr Zaoui now has formal refugee status.
Dr Tucker says Mr Zaoui was clearly a risk when he arrived in New Zealand, but new classified information, along with time and his candour at recent hearings, means he is no longer a threat.
He says the SIS was aware that some of Mr Zaoui’s associates were actively involved in providing support to terrorism in Algeria and that Mr Zaoui was linked to that activity.
But he says new information suggests that’s not the case.
Dr Tucker says Mr Zaoui has signed a statement providing an assurance about his future activities in New Zealand. He says the SIS will maintain regular contact with him.
Early decision
Mr Zaoui arrived later on Thursday at the Dominican priory in Auckland where he has been living since he was bailed there in 2004.
Radio New Zealand’s reporter says he was wearing a wide smile and hugged and thanked his legal team and supporters.
He says he is relieved and delighted that the decision has come much earlier than expected. He says it means a fresh start and he just wants to be a normal man and lead a normal life.
He told supporters and journalists at a news conference on Thursday afternoon how his wife and children broke down in tears when he told them he was free.
Work will begin immediately to try to bring them to New Zealand.
Prime Minister Helen Clark says Mr Zaoui’s famiy is welcome to apply for residency here.
Miss Clark says she has full confidence in the SIS and its director and is comfortable with the decision.
Always believed he’d be freed
Mr Zaoui says he always believed he would eventually be freed.
Mr Zaoui’s lawyers says the decision highlights problems with the secrecy and the imbalance of power in security risk cases like Mr Zaoui’s.
In a written statement earlier Mr Zaoui acknowledged Dr Tucker for having the courage to revisit his predecessor’s decision to issue the security risk certificate.
He says he believes the the decision puts an end to the false accusations against him.
Mr Zaoui says that in order to move on he’s conceding that the risk certificate against him was justified on the basis of the information held at the time, but he does not accept that he has been a danger to the security of New Zealand.
Key supports decision
Opposition leader John Key says he supports the decision to withdraw the security risk certificate against Mr Zaoui.
Mr Key was briefed on the matter on Wednesdayand says the SIS has operated professionally in what has been a complex case.
However, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he is not comfortable with Mr Zaoui remaining in this country. He says New Zealand has a record of being a soft touch on these matters.
Mr Peters says he has yet to be briefed on the decision.
Arrested on arrival
The Algerian was arrested at Auckland International Airport after he arrived in New Zealand from Malaysia without a passport on 4 December 2002. He was held at Auckland Prison in Paremoremo. On 30 January 2003 an application for refugee status was declined by the Immigration Service.
On 1 August 2003 the Refugee Status Appeals Authority granted refugee status despite terrorism convictions in France and Belgium.
After a series of court hearings, he was freed on bail on 9 December 2004 by the Supreme Court to live with the Dominican friars in Auckland subject to certain bail reporting conditions. He has been living there until now.
Copyright © 2007 Radio New Zealand
