Moroccan immigrant has dubious past, says Peters

The Government confirmed yesterday that an investigation was under way into the status of a Moroccan man who was granted a residence permit after being refused entry as a refugee.

The case was raised in Parliament on Wednesday by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who said Mohammed Saidi failed to gain refugee status five years ago, but was eventually granted residency because he was in a de facto relationship.

Mr Peters again questioned Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel in Parliament yesterday, detailing what he said was a list of facts about Mr Saidi and asking why she had failed to act.

Ms Dalziel initially said she was unable to give details of the case but told the House that "generally speaking" an immigration permit could be revoked if it was obtained by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation.

In reply to a question from Labour MP Nania Mahuta, she said the case was being investigated, and there was a risk that her comments could be construed as pre-determination or bias if she was called on to revoke the residency status.

Mr Peters said yesterday that Mr Saidi had left his country of origin with a false passport and destroyed it on the plane.

He said he was known to have links with Islamic fundamentalists, had been accused of rape, had given a false name and lied about an international driver's licence.

Mr Peters tried to give more details, but was ordered to leave the debating chamber after a squabble with Speaker Jonathan Hunt, who said his question was too long.

Yesterday Mr Peters said Mr Saidi had been accused of being involved in drug trafficking and was suspected of people-smuggling.

All that information had been known to the Immigration Service, he said, and despite that a residence permit had been granted because Mr Saidi had fathered two children by two women.

Ms Dalziel said Mr Saidi arrived in October 1997 and applied for refugee status, which was declined in 1998.

- NZPA

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Feature: Immigration