Let Zaoui out for lecture, says MP Locke

By HELEN TUNNAH

Green MP Keith Locke wants Algerian Ahmed Zaoui out of jail to deliver a speech on the impact of the September 11 terror attacks.

Mr Locke said the Government had let Mr Zaoui out of jail to go to court, so it should not be too much trouble to let him deliver a lecture at Auckland University.

Mr Zaoui, labelled a terrorism suspect by opponents, has been declared a genuine refugee but is still in detention 22 months after arriving in New Zealand.

He has not been charged with any offence, but has been declared a threat to national security by the Security Intelligence Service.

The Government will argue in the Supreme Court next month that it is entitled to keep Mr Zaoui in jail while his security status is reviewed.

Mr Locke said a lecture by the former Algerian politician today would have included panel discussions about how September 11 had affected the West's perception of Islam.

A spokesman for Corrections Minister Paul Swain said Mr Zaoui would not be released for the lecture.


Herald Feature: Ahmed Zaoui, parliamentarian in prison

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