Zaoui lawyers fight to have judge removed from case

1.00pm

A taped interview at the centre of an allegation of bias in the case of Algerian asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui was played in the High Court at Auckland today.

The interview was given by Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Laurie Greig to the Listener late last year.

The retired High Court judge, in his role as watchdog of the intelligence services, is reviewing the Security Risk Certificate issued against Mr Zaoui.

But Mr Zaoui's lawyers have alleged bias over comments he made in the interview and have a sought a judicial review to have him removed from the case.

In the hour-long tape, Justice Greig is softly spoken, and at times barely audible.

The hearing, which began today and is expected to take two days, is before a full bench of two judges, Justices Salmon and Harrison, who were told Justice Greig had requested that the tape be played in court.

In the Listener article, Justice Greig suggested that, it if were up to him, Mr Zaoui would be out of New Zealand, but the final decision rested with the Immigration Minister.

Mr Zaoui has been kept in prison without charge since he arrived in New Zealand 15 months ago on false documents.

The Security Intelligence Service issued the certificate against him early last year. However, in August, the Refugee Status Appeals Authority granted him refugee status.

- NZPA

Herald Feature: Ahmed Zaoui, parliamentarian in prison

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