Move ends Zaoui's isolation

By CATHERINE MASTERS

Ahmed Zaoui was overwhelmed but optimistic yesterday at his sudden change of address.

When the Algerian political prisoner was taken to Auckland Prison at Paremoremo more than 10 months ago, it was amid high security with helicopter surveillance.

Yesterday, his security risk was significantly downgraded as he was transferred in a nondescript van with blackened windows to the Auckland Central Remand Prison in Mt Eden.

Instead of languishing for much of the day on his own in a small cell, he will be unlocked for extended periods, be able to socialise freely with other prisoners, eat with them, go to the library or the gymnasium and have more visitors.

His move followed a Department of Corrections review of Mr Zaoui's conditions after a psychological report that he was suffering mentally at maximum-security Paremoremo.

Not even his lawyers were told he was being transferred, and when they turned up for a booked appointment with their client they were told, "Mr Zaoui doesn't live here any more".

They followed the van he was in and were taken inside the remand prison and shown around.

Said lawyer Deborah Manning: "It's a huge improvement from Paremoremo - but it's a prison, and I have to say I breathed a huge sigh of relief when we came outside again.

"I think he was a bit overwhelmed, taking it all in, you know. He'd been in the same environment for 10 months.

"He said he felt as though this move was a step in the right direction for his whole case, and he hoped it was a sign that things would all work out in the end."

Phil McCarthy, the general manager of the Public Prisons Service, said there had been a big change in the attitude of the police towards any risk posed by Mr Zaoui.

"We have carefully considered our own experience of Mr Zaoui, have consulted the Immigration Service and have asked police to advise if they continue to have views about Mr Zaoui's placement. They do not.

"Therefore, on the basis of the information currently available to us, Corrections considers that Mr Zaoui no longer requires the high security, restricted-association placement at Auckland Prison."

Mr Zaoui, an elected MP forced to flee Algeria after a military coup, may spend many more months in prison.

Although he has been cleared of terrorist links by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority, he is still awaiting the outcome of a national security risk certificate, issued on the basis of secret Security Intelligence Service information.

The certificate is being reviewed by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Justice Laurie Greig.

But Mr Zaoui's lawyers said this week that they were filing proceedings for a judicial review in the High Court challenging key rulings by Justice Greig that he would not be taking Mr Zaoui's human rights into account and refusing to tell him what the accusations against him were.