Afghani asylum 'threat' was free to roam for seven months

AN asylum-seeker was given a refugee visa and lived freely in the community for seven months before he was deemed a threat.

AN Afghan asylum-seeker was given a refugee visa and spent seven months living freely in the community before authorities deemed him a threat to national security and detained him.

In a case that raises questions about the rigour of the security checks applied to boatpeople, Haji Saied Firooz Zadah, 59, was released from Christmas Island in April last year after he was found to be a refugee and was issued a permanent protection visa.

Seven months later, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen cancelled his visa after ASIO advised it regarded the Afghan national as a threat to security.

As is the practice, ASIO did not give any reason for its decision.

A source familiar with the case said Mr Firooz Zadah's negative assessment was based on information that came to light after he had been granted his visa.

Mr Bowen yesterday confirmed he had cancelled a visa following ASIO advice. "This decision was not taken lightly and all available advice was considered," a spokesman for Mr Bowen said.

ASIO's ruling prompted authorities to arrest Mr Firooz Zadah and return him to immigration detention, where he remains. He spent several days in the maximum-security wing of Sydney's Villawood detention centre.

In his letter to Mr Firooz Zadah, Mr Bowen said he was cancelling his visa on character grounds after ASIO's assessment.

"I concluded that the information and concerns set out in the issues paper and attachments are of such a serious nature that the use of my discretionary power to cancel (your visa) without prior notice is in the national interest," Mr Bowen said. "I reached this view, notwithstanding that (you), having been found to be a refugee, (are) owed protection obligations by Australia."

Supporters in the Afghan community say Mr Firooz Zadah, who arrived in mid-2010, was a village chief in the Jaghori district and the victim of a smear campaign. In one of more than 30 mostly pro-forma character references written on his behalf, one supporter described him as a man of "integrity and honesty".

"In Afghanistan, it is common when people are in the position of power and influence that there others (sic) who jealous of them," the letter of reference reads.

It is unclear why Mr Firooz Zadah was seen as a threat, but he has become one of 54 asylum-seekers -- almost all of whom are also refugees -- to have been refused entry on security grounds.

Most are Sri Lankan Tamils suspected of associating with the Tamil Tigers terror group.

Mr Firooz Zadah's case is unusual as he is said to be a member of Afghanistan's Hazara ethnic group, a persecuted minority not known for security threats.

The case also raises questions over the security vetting processes for asylum-seekers, particularly at a time when the number of boats is increasing, straining resources of ASIO and other security agencies. Mr Firooz Zadah was understood to have arrived by boat in July 2010, meaning ASIO had nearly a year to investigate him prior to his release.

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said national security "must come first when deciding who gets a visa".

ASIO declined to comment.

The revelations came as authorities intercepted the second boat carrying asylum-seekers to Australia this week. It is believed there are 56 passengers and two crew on board. A boat with 74 asylum-seekers was intercepted on Tuesday.