Media Release

13 September 2007

NZ Number One Soft Touch for Illegal Immigrants

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the decision to withdraw Ahmed Zaoui's security risk certificate does nothing to change the facts surrounding Zaoui's case.

"The decision does not change the fact that three superior jurisdictions have found against him, and that no Islamic country will take him.

"Essentially, well over $3 million of taxpayers' money has been spent on Mr Zaoui's attempts to jump the queue and bypass the provisions of security risk procedures and decisions.

"He should never have been granted entry into New Zealand in the first place, and withdrawing his security risk certificate has advertised New Zealand once again as the number one soft touch for illegal immigrants," concluded Mr Peters.

ENDS

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