Poll shows sympathy growing for Zaoui but many want him to go

By JO-MARIE BROWN


Public sympathy is growing for jailed Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui, although a large number of people still believe he should be deported.

A Herald-DigiPoll survey has found that almost 31 per cent of people think Mr Zaoui should be allowed to stay in NZ - a five-point increase in support from when the same question was asked in August.

Mr Zaoui has spent a year in prison, much of it in solitary confinement, despite having been declared a bona fide refugee four months ago.

Last week the 43-year-old won the right to see a summary of the secret information the Security Intelligence Service says it has on him. But in the absence of any information as to why he is a considered a threat to NZ, the number of people who want him deported has dropped.

Just over half of those surveyed in August said he should go, whereas only 42 per cent are now of the same opinion. Women are far more likely to be sympathetic to Mr Zaoui.

One of Mr Zaoui's lawyers, Deborah Manning, said the latest poll's results were consistent with the growing number of messages of support he was receiving in prison.

Interest in the case had not diminished despite its complex nature, she said.

"I think that the rising number of people supporting him shows that once people are informed and have examined the facts of his case, they recognise that he is someone who is deserving of New Zealand's protection."

Former Pentagon analyst and Auckland University political scientist Paul Buchanan believes unease is growing in the community about the way Mr Zaoui's case is being handled.

Dr Buchanan said more people were becoming worried about the process, rather than just the fate of Mr Zaoui himself.