Ahmed Zaoui is an Algerian refugee who sought residency in New Zealand in 2002.

1991-2000: Algeria and Europe

In 1991, Zaoui, then associate professor of theology at the University of Algiers , stood as a candidate for the Islamic Salvation Front ("FIS"), which won the election in Algeria by a landslide. Less than a month later, a military coup d'état occurred in Algeria, with French complicity, and the democratic government was overthrown.

Zaoui was branded an enemy of the state. He went to Europe, where he lobbied for a peaceful solution for Algeria. European governments were unsympathetic. In March 1994, Belgium charged him with being the head of a terrorist organisation, after a visit by the Algerian foreign minister. He was acquitted, but after an appeal he received a suspended sentence. Switzerland refused to hear his request for asylum and expelled him and his family. Algeria sentenced him to death in absentia.

2000-2002: Travel to Asia then New Zealand

Zaoui moved to Malaysia in 2000. Immediately after the September 11, 2001 attacks, France convicted him in absentia for "associating with terrorists". Hearing that the Algerian government was trying to have him extradited, in December 2002 he travelled to New Zealand on a false passport, and on his arrival he requested refugee status.

Imprisonment

Zaoui was treated with great suspicion by New Zealand authorities, primarily on the recommendations of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, which will not reveal its reasons but may be influenced by his convictions in Europe. He was confined in the maximum security Paremoremo prison. Much of his time there was in solitary confinement.

Following a declaration by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority in August 2003 that he was a genuine asylum seeker, Zaoui was moved to the medium security Auckland Remand Prison in October 2003, where he was no longer in solitary confinement.

In September 2004, the New Zealand Police stated that Zaoui had links to al Qaeda, but withdrew this claim after the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, questioned it.

On 20 October 2004, many of his supporters participated in a launch of his autobiographical book in the Beehive foyer in Wellington.

Bail

On 9 December 2004 the Supreme Court of New Zealand granted Zaoui bail. Despite Crown opposition, the Court allowed him to reside in the Dominican Friary in central Auckland. He must report to the Police twice a week and must spend each night in the Friary between 10pm and 6am.

Prospects

Several legal processes remain before he is either completely freed or deported.

Zaoui has a wife and four children, who are currently in Malaysia and who will join him in New Zealand if he is accepted as a refugee.

At the November 2004 Supreme Court hearing, the Solicitor-General made it clear that if the security risk certificate should be confirmed and relied on by the Minister, Mr Zaoui would not be deported to a country where he would face persecution as that would contravene the Convention Against Torture.