A hearing by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to decide the future of Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui will be start on July 9, it was announced today.
A statement from the office of Inspector-General Paul Neazor said the hearing would be in private as required by law.
The hearing for evidence by Mr Zaoui and witnesses he wishes to call is part of the review of the Government's security risk certificate which will decide his future.
Mr Zaoui, formerly elected as an MP in Algeria, arrived in New Zealand in 2003 and sought refugee status, saying he would be tortured or killed if he was sent back to Algeria.
He spent almost two years in prison in New Zealand waiting for his case to be decided as he fought the security risk certificate and moves to remove him from the country.
Mr Zaoui was released on bail in December 2004 after a Supreme Court hearing, and has since lived with the Catholic community in in the Dominican Priory in Auckland awaiting the hearing to review the certificate.
Mr Neazor said the hearing would be begin on July 9 and continue to August 10 with a break in between.
"There may be some issues about documents to be determined and there may have to be another period for the taking of evidence later. Whether and when that will happen is not known yet."
The statement said it was aimed to have the review report in the hands of Immigration Minister David Cunliffe before the end of the year.
- NZPA
