Ahmed Zaoui's battle against SIS claims against him has cost the taxpayer more than $700,000, the Government confirmed yesterday.
The figure does not include costs incurred during this week's hearing before the Court of Appeal.
Social Services Minister Steve Maharey released the figures in Parliament yesterday, answering questions from theleader of New Zealand First, Winston Peters, on behalf of Helen Clark.
The total figure of $705,979 includes Crown Law and Department of Labour legal costs, legal aid costs for Mr Zaoui and imprisonment costs.
"All of these costs are of course, not final, because the case is ongoing," Mr Maharey said.
Mr Zaoui arrived in New Zealand in September 2002 on a false passport and claimed asylum.
He was detained as a security threat and last year a national security risk certificate was issued against him on the basis of unseen allegations.
His legal team is fighting the credibility of that certificate, which the Government has the ability to lift.
Mr Zaoui has convictions against him in Belgium and France, linked to his political activities. He was deported from Switzerland, left France and was subsequently banned from returning there and then left Belgium while under house arrest.
New Zealand's Refugee Status Appeals Authority has questioned the robustness of his convictions, saying he is a refugee.
The Government confirmed this week it has held talks with other countries to find out whether they would take him if he is finally declared a security risk.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said this week there was no certainty Mr Zaoui would be deported if the certificate was upheld because "to deport him, one has to find somebody to take the person".
Mr Peters asked yesterday whether it was true that if a "known terrorist came to New Zealand fearing torture in his home country he would have to stay unless another country would take him?"
Mr Maharey said this was the "reported view of the Solicitor-General".
Green MP Keith Locke asked whether Helen Clark was prejudicing the Inspector-General's determination on the certificate "by approaching other countries to take him and talking about that ... particularly when he is a refugee".
Mr Maharey rejected this: "I don't think anybody is prejudicing anything."
Zaoui costs so far
Crown legal costs $411,624
Dept of Labour legal costs $29,166
Zaoui legal aid $206,189
Jail costs $59,000
Herald Feature: Ahmed Zaoui, parliamentarian in prison
