Crown won't oppose transferring Zaoui to refugee centre

Ahmed Zaoui

Crown lawyers said today they would not oppose the transfer of detained asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui to Auckland's Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre.

The Supreme Court in Wellington was today hearing Mr Zaoui's application for bail, after he spent two years behind bars without charge.

Under questioning from the bench, Solicitor-General Terence Arnold admitted Mr Zaoui did not represent a violent threat to any person or group within New Zealand.

But there was a risk he could communicate with foreign associates in Europe, imperilling the securing of other countries.

This in turn affected New Zealand security.

Under questioning he said Mr Zaoui had only ever been convicted of associating with groups that planned action against groups or individuals in Algeria.

He said it would be difficult to monitor Mr Zaoui's communications if he was bailed to outside the Mangere centre.

In its submission, the Crown said it would approve Mr Zaoui being released on bail to the centre, where any "security risk" he posed would be "more manageable".

Mr Arnold said Mr Zaoui's deportation from Switzerland came after he had been there only a short time, but had sent "communiques" authorities deemed a threat to national security.

Mr Arnold opposed Mr Zaoui being released on bail to the Dominican friars in Auckland.

Authorities could better monitor his activities and who he met if he was in Mangere, he said.

The court said a fortnight ago that it had the power to consider bail for Mr Zaoui and that it would be oppressive if his detention without charge dragged on.

He has been held in custody without charge as a "threat to national security" since arriving in New Zealand on a false passport in December 2002, despite being declared a genuine refugee by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority.

The former Algerian MP was a member of an elected government prevented from taking power by a military coup.

A national security certificate has been issued against him and the Inspector-General of Security is reviewing the security risk.

He has denied claims of being associated with the militant Armed Islamic Group (GIA).

Prime Minister Helen Clark said this week the Government had to accept the court's decision.

Mr Zaoui was not released from Auckland Central Remand Prison for today's hearing.

- NZPA