KEY POINTS:
A hearing on whether Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui poses a security threat to New Zealand resumes today.
The hearing, which is subject to a high level of secrecy, began earlier in the month before adjourning. Mr Zaoui is unlikely to know his fate before the end of the year.
Today evidence will be presented which even Mr Zaoui or his lawyers are not allowed to hear.
Mr Zaoui's lawyer Deborah Manning said today she was not allowed to talk to the media about anything to do with the hearing.
Mr Zaoui was democratically elected to represent the Algerian Islamic Front for Salvation (FIS) in December 1991, but the new government was overthrown in a military coup in January 1992 and he fled to Europe.
He has been accused of being associated with the militant Armed Islamic Group (GIA), but has denied any such involvement.
Mr Zaoui arrived in New Zealand in December 2002 and sought refugee status, saying he would be tortured or killed if he went back to Algeria, but spent almost two years in prison waiting for his case to be decided as he fought the security risk certificate.
He was declared a genuine refugee in August 2003 by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority and released on bail in December 2004 since when he has lived with the Catholic community in Auckland in the Dominican Priory.
- NZPA
