Zaoui's psychologist 'heavied'

By CATHERINE MASTERS


The clinical psychologist treating Ahmed Zaoui in prison has been ordered by the Corrections Department to end his one-year relationship with the jailed Algerian refugee, the Weekend Herald understands.

Mr Zaoui's lawyers believe it is because Dr Ronnie Zuessman told a court bail hearing he did not believe Mr Zaoui was a risk to the community and recommended he be released into the care of priests.

They also believe Dr Zuessman was heavied by the department to tone down his court affidavit, which said Mr Zaoui's mental health was poor because of his prolonged detention.

Dr Zuessman has been counselling Mr Zaoui since his transfer from solitary confinement at Auckland Prison at Paremoremo to the Auckland Central Remand Prison about a year ago.

Mr Zaoui has been in jail without charge for 21 months, because he has been issued with a Security Risk Certificate, which is still under review.

Dr Zuessman refused to comment to the Weekend Herald or even confirm he was Mr Zaoui's psychologist.

But in an affidavit for a hearing on whether Mr Zaoui should be bailed to live with Dominican Friars in Auckland or at the refugee centre in Mangere, Dr Zuessman said his patient had consistently presented himself with sincerity, humility, respect and empathy.

He was, however, experiencing chronic symptoms of post-traumatic stress related to past experiences of imprisonment, solitary confinement and torture and displayed disturbing psychological symptoms.

"These include physiological symptoms such as intermittent insomnia, unrestful sleep, fatigue, interruption of circadian rhythm, daytime sleepiness, diminished appetite and enjoyment of food, muscular tension, intermittent headache, occasional throbbing pulse and occasional hyperventilation."

Anxiety symptoms were present and included episodic startle and panic.

"Mr Zaoui reports intrusive memories and nightmares related to torture, apprehension by police in Algeria and Europe and the isolation of non-voluntary segregation at Paremoremo."

Dr Zuessman went on to say that he believed Mr Zaoui presented a low risk and was suitable for release on bail to the Dominican Friary in Auckland.

Mr Zaoui was denied bail but in a Court of Appeal hearing his lead counsel, Rodney Harrison, said that despite a court order to the contrary, Dr Zuessman had been repeatedly and deliberately blocked from visiting and assessing the suitability of the Mangere centre.

"To make matters worse, it is plain that Dr Zuessman was 'stood over' by his own employer in the course of the preparation of his affidavit and invited to make substantive changes, although to his credit he did not do so."

In a split decision, the Court of Appeal also refused bail.

One of Mr Zaoui's lawyers, Deborah Manning, told the Weekend Herald yesterday that the removal of Dr Zuessman was strange.

"It really leads towards one conclusion, which is that we had concerns that Dr Zuessman was being improperly pressured by the Department of Corrections regarding his evidence at the High Court and now he's been instructed to terminate his relationship with Ahmed Zaoui.

"Dr Zuessman was very clear in his evidence that Mr Zaoui did not pose a risk to the community and that it was in his best interests not to be in a penal institution."

She said Mr Zaoui had built a trusting relationship with Dr Zuessman and his removal was a further blow.

"I would go as far as to say this is an extremely cruel way to treat the person."

The Weekend Herald asked the Corrections Department who had ordered Dr Zuessman to be removed, what the reason for his removal was and whether the decision was connected in any way to the doctor's affidavit.

A spokeswoman from the department said: "The information you have requested is also the subject of an Official Information request from Mr Zaoui's lawyers.

"We will be considering your request under the act as consultation needs to take place with a number of people before we can respond to your questions."


Herald Feature: Ahmed Zaoui, parliamentarian in prison

Related information and links