Suspected NZ terrorist to PM: 'Thanks for ruining my life'

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Mon, 12 Sep 2011 6:04p.m.

Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor

By Patrick Gower

The Prime Minister is refusing to reveal why the Government believes Hamilton man Mark Taylor is a terror threat.

Mr Taylor, a convert to Islam, has never faced trial but hid alleged links to al-Qaeda mean he is living under restrictions so secret he has not been told them himself.

M Taylor is New Zealand's first suspected al-Qaeda terrorist, and his message for John Key is simple: Show me the evidence.

“I'd say to him ‘where is your evidence? I want 100 percent evidence put on the table’.”

Mr Key's response: no way.

Mr Key confirmed a Wikileaks release showing Mr Taylor is on an international terror watch-list.

He also said Mr Taylor was living here under secret restrictions.

Mr Taylor says he would like to know what the restrictions are.

He is a former New Zealand soldier and suspected of training for terrorism, after visiting the al-Qaeda stronghold Wana in Pakistan.

He has also been to Yemen where al-Qaeda is based and listens to radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, one of the group's motivators.

“Surely we’ve got to watch this guy,” says Mr Key.

Mr Taylor was deemed so dangerous he even had his New Zealand passport cancelled with help from the Terrorism Suppression Act.

But he has never faced any charges, or had any trial.

“Why is it that I haven't been taken to court? Why is it that I have my passport revoked? And basically it’s from the SIS, they won't give me any, they won’t explain to me because it's all classified.”

Mr Taylor may be a terror suspect but just eight weeks ago he was in the audience as Mr Key spoke to his Hamilton mosque.

And if he ever sees him again - he has this to say.

“Thanks very much for ruining my life.”

There are many questions about Mr Taylor and his denials require a lot of believing.

But his case sends a warning the enormous powers our spies and terror laws can have over people, without requiring evidence.

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Comments

19 May 2012 07:22a.m.

dr wrote:

Thats whot hapens when we cozy up to the u.s.a just look at the dot com case next thing the f.b.i will be in charge come on john front up wops I for got you dont do that tea cup taps your bent mate banks come on john wake up and get over your salf

22 Oct 2011 01:16a.m.

Not slave of amer-icons wrote:

I'm sure no one knows anything about Islam except the name of it and what their masters teach them (amer-icons). I'm not a slave for dirty governments :) and I always read about Islam from its resources (Authentic resources).

18 Sep 2011 09:26p.m.

bernard wrote:

just when you shout peace an safty thats when sudden destruction will hit . its all going to end in nukes one day soon . man has long left gods values asesments and judgements on issues of life . its all over bar the shouting man is like a boy wistling in the dark convincing himself all is fine .im not a greenie or nothing but scientific so called man lives completly out of tune with is enviroment watch it turning on him now .your scientific knowledge is killing you .hay but you know what your doing right i get it your smarter than your creator you will figure a way out im sure . mmm right .

18 Sep 2011 04:25p.m.

Peter wrote:

First and foremost I cannot cast an opinion on whether or not Mr.Taylor is a "terriorist" or threat to our national security.

Secondly I beleive that this raises concerns over the powers of the SIS. Are these powers in breach of the bill of rights? Do the SIS have power over our judicary system in removing a mans right to a fair and reasonable trial?

How far will the government go if they see anyone who disagrees with them as a threat?

Unionist? Communist?

The recent case of New Zealand terrior raids showed that the police acted by tresspass in setting up video survellance and so acted unlawfully.

Can the same be said in the case of Mr Taylor?

Is the government acting lawfully by acting as judge and jury in giving Mr Taylor a sentance with out a fair trial?

14 Sep 2011 06:11p.m.

eddie wrote:

@ Mark taylor
And what would you do with the $200,000 in Yemen mark?...not partake in anything fundamental and 'against the west'?...no...(insert Tui ad here, sorry Muslim, non drinker but you get the drift!

(oh and me thinks you will never get to fly outside NZ borders Mark, car or train for you for forseeable future I'm afraid, lucky you live in a lovely country eh?)

13 Sep 2011 11:29p.m.

Mark Taylor wrote:

Hey, Craig, I never train with any terrorist and if you want me out of NZ, pay for my airline ticket to Yemen Plus expenses of about $200000 and I be to happy to leave your police state of NZ...

13 Sep 2011 06:43p.m.

jack wrote:

could be your beard?

13 Sep 2011 06:20p.m.

James 1 wrote:

Just in case there's any confusion… I'm the 1st James to comment here, although I don't entirely disagree with James (2)s comment. I would like to make a point that it's not just Muslim extremists who can be decidedly cold-blooded and ruthless (in light of the the recent Norwegian massacre). It's obviously very necessary to monitor anyone who could be a potential threat, but yes if you've visited an al-Qaeda stronghold and converted to Islam, then you're obviously going to raise some attention. @Neil and 'The Beginning of the End': You're both demanding evidence for the reasoning behind the surveillance and secret restrictions (in addition to the evidence we already know). As Bob rightly points out, there clearly are good reasons for keeping an eye on M Taylor, otherwise they wouldn't be wasting resources monitoring him. It just isn't information that you or the rest of us need to know. It baffles me that you would cry foul over such justifiable security measures. "Regardless of where the man has gone, what his religion is, what he wears or the way he talks, it is unjust & undemocratic to deprive him of any liberties unless he is charged & convicted." - Have you really thought about the logistics behind national security?? And,, in this case, M Taylor wasn't even aware of any restrictions, so he's not being ill-treated. "If he is a terrorist then charge him, supply the evidence & convict him like any other criminal" -The problem with waiting until a suspected terrorist actually commits a crime is that he or she typically kills themselves along with numerous innocent people. PLEASE tell us what you would consider to be sufficient evidence?? Flying lessons & boarding tickets are really all they needed for 9/11, and how exactly would you ensure national security whilst keeping the public informed of any evidence uncovered??

13 Sep 2011 05:15p.m.

TuF wrote:

Thats all this government has got, a rhetoric of hate. They cant show you the evidence because like Ahmed Zaoui there is no evidence. Its just the SIS bowing to their masters in washington like the lapdogs they are. Key wont give you answers because he doesnt have any. How about you showing some leadership for a change, nope that would be too much to ask. Just smile and wave cos its all you have got.

13 Sep 2011 03:27p.m.

Caz wrote:

I totally agree with James. Not any old Joe Bloggs is in this muslim converts position. The Govt has its reasons and I believe that this guy knows what they've found out, but is playing dumb. If they confiscated his passport, I'm sure it's for a VERY good reason !!!