Agents from the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service have been quizzing friends of the Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui, according to a newspaper report.
The Sunday Star-Times newspaper claims SIS agents turned up at the homes of four Algerian refugees, and questioned them about Mr Zaoui.
The refugees say they were interviewed about their own residence or citizenship applications, and then questioned about what they knew of Ahmed Zaoui.
One man says he was asked if Mr Zaoui had been killing people in Algeria.
The men told the paper they felt intimidated and afraid during the interviews.
One man claims the situation reminded him of the persecution he faced in Algeria.
The men say they are now friends with Mr Zaoui, but did not know him when they were in Algeria.
Green Party human rights spokesman Keith Locke said: "The SIS case against Mr Zaoui must be weak if they have to go trawling among his friends to get dirt on him.
"It seems the SIS is willing to do anything, including intimidate vulnerable refugees and trample on proper interviewing process, in a desperate effort to find some evidence against Mr Zaoui."
- NEWSTALK ZB, HERALD ONLINE STAFF
Refugees quizzed about Zaoui, reports say
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