Scoop Video: Algeria Amnesty & An Intel Turntable
Scoop understands stage one will involve a hearing that will commence on August 7 2006 in Auckland at an as yet unknown venue. Witnesses from New Zealand and abroad will include those testifying to Mr Zaoui's character and claims that he poses no risk to New Zealand's national security.
Justice Neazor insists the hearings be held in private banning all observers (including observers from Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists). SIS Director, Richard Woods, will however be permitted to attend the hearings.
Once the hearings have concluded a Special Advocate, Stuart Grieve QC, will view classified information held by the SIS.
Scoop understands that Justice Neazor may permit a disclosure process of sorts. It may be possible that more information, until now held secret by the SIS, may be released to Mr Zaoui and his legal team.
For more on this issue, see Scoop's full coverage of the Ahmed Zaoui case and immigration issues.