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An Iraqi born man who allegedly lied in order to get New Zealand citizenship is being investigated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
Salam Mansoor Abdelabbas Al-Bawi, 33, was sentenced to six months' home detention in Auckland District Court in March after pleading guilty to charges of lying to authorities to obtain New Zealand citizenship and a New Zealand passport.
At his March sentencing, Al-Bawi said his family had been victimised for many years and he was fearful for his safety in Iraq.
"I still can't believe the Saddam government is gone ... give me another chance in this life please," he said.
He claimed he planned to come clean about his true identity, having used a fake name and false Danish passport to apply for New Zealand citizenship. He also did not disclose a violence conviction.
Internal Affairs confirmed today it was investigating Al-Bawi's citizenship following his criminal conviction.
Department spokesman Marc Piercey said to become a New Zealand citizen one must meet a "good character" requirement.
A criminal conviction usually meant a person would not meet this requirement, he said.
Lawyer David Johnstone, from the firm that provided the crown prosecutor in the case, said Al-Bawi had filed a notice of appeal since his conviction, the reason for which was not known.
Al-Bawi's original lawyer David Ryken said he was no longer acting for Al-Bawi and Queens Counsel Paul Davidson was now his lawyer.
Mr Davidson could not be reached this morning.
Detective Sergeant Aaron Pascoe, a policeman involved in Al-Bawi's case, said he was not able to comment on it while the appeal was pending.
- NZPA
