Revelations police tried to trick Zaoui

Ahmed Zaoui

Police have been left red-faced after revelations they tried to trick Algerian asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui into saying he knew where al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was.

An undercover agent was put in a cell with Mr Zaoui at a police station soon after he arrived in the country and asked him if he knew and liked bin Laden.

The bungle came to light in a Police Complaints Authority report, which shows police acted inappropriately.

Lawyer Deborah Manning says it is another example of the way Mr Zaoui has been poorly treated.

Ms Manning says although the independent appeal system seems to be working, the attitudes of frontline staff are a huge concern.

She says the informant could not even speak the same language as Mr Zaoui, and her client believed he was just being friendly.

Deborah Manning says the Police Complaints Authority has referred Mr Zaoui's treatment to the Police Commissioner.

- NEWSTALK ZB