Zaoui should go back home, says NZ First

Ahmed Zaoui

New Zealand First called on Ahmed Zaoui to get on the next plane to Algeria after learning of the amnesty for members of his former political party, the FIS (Islamic Salvation Front).

"Zaoui should now return to his homeland, which he said on his release from prison was his ultimate aim, and cease to be a burden to the New Zealand taxpayer," New Zealand First deputy leader Peter Brown said on Wednesday.

Brown said the amnesty left Zaoui's claim to refugee status "very shaky" and the more than $2 million in costs he had inflicted on the New Zealand taxpayer were for nothing.

But Zaoui's lawyer, Deborah Manning, maintained the amnesty was a farce and that for him to qualify, he would have to confess to crimes he does not believe he is guilty of. Once back in Algeria, he would not have the freedom to speak about what had happened in the troubled African country.

Zaoui, a professor of Islam, landed in New Zealand in December 2002 seeking refugee status. But in March 2003 the Security Intelligence Service issued a security risk certificate against him and he was remanded, first to Paremoremo maximum security and then to Mt Eden Prison, until his release on bail in December 2004.

The non-violent FIS was outlawed after a military coup in 1992 and Zaoui was sentenced to death in absentia by an Algerian court. After fleeing the country, he was branded a member of terrorist group the GIA (Groupe Islamique Arme), a link he has consistently denied.

The Government is waiting for the SIS Inspector-General's report on his security classification before the Immigration Minister makes a final decision on Zaoui's fate.