Supreme Court Decision On Zaoui Bail At 4pm

The Supreme Court of New Zealand will deliver its decision at 4pm on whether to release Algerian MP and refugee Ahmed Zaoui on bail and transfer him from prison detention and into the care of the Dominican Friars.

Irrespective of the Court decision, Mr Zaoui's lawyers are due to be in Auckland at 8pm this evening and are expected to issue a statement outside the Auckland Central Remand Prison at that time.

Ahmed Zaoui's senior counsel Dr Rodney Harrison.

This morning the Crown did not oppose the transfer of Ahmed Zaoui from Auckland Central Remand Prison to the Manger Refugee Detention Centre, but opposed a bail application for Mr Zaoui to be placed in the care of the Dominican Friars in Auckland.

The Supreme Court in Wellington heard an application by Mr Zaoui's lawyers Dr Rodney Harrison and Deborah Manning to have the Court approve release on bail and transfer to the care of the Dominican Friars. The Crown opposed the move. Solicitor General Terrence Arnold told the Supreme Court that Mr Zaoui is considered by the Crown to be a security risk. He said if Mr Zaoui was released to the Dominican Friars it would be difficult to monitor his communications with other individuals and groups..

Mr Arnold said the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service issued a risk certificate against Mr Zaoui as it believed that in time he would repeat activities that caused concern to the Belgium, French and Swiss governments and led to convictions in the former two countries.

But the Supreme Court judges spent much of the morning questioning Mr Arnold on what conditions the Crown would seek should the Court release Mr Zaoui on bail to the Dominicans.

Dr Harrison asked to the Court to grant Mr Zaoui bail with the right to free and open movement during daytime hours.

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