This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7796778.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'New Australia terror law needed' Inquiry finds Haneef case errors
(about 6 hours later)
An Australian judicial inquiry into the 2007 arrest of Dr Mohamed Haneef has found he should not have been arrested in connection with a UK terror attack.An Australian judicial inquiry into the 2007 arrest of Dr Mohamed Haneef has found he should not have been arrested in connection with a UK terror attack.
It also recommends sweeping changes to tough anti-terrorism laws and tighter oversight of police procedures.It also recommends sweeping changes to tough anti-terrorism laws and tighter oversight of police procedures.
But the report finds no political conspiracy behind the bungled arrest, and recommends no punishment of individuals involved.But the report finds no political conspiracy behind the bungled arrest, and recommends no punishment of individuals involved.
Dr Haneef was held for almost a month before the charges collapsed.Dr Haneef was held for almost a month before the charges collapsed.
Details of the report were published by The Australian newspaper ahead of its official release later on Tuesday.Details of the report were published by The Australian newspaper ahead of its official release later on Tuesday.
Australia's Attorney-General Robert McClelland said that "errors were made from ground level to the highest level.Australia's Attorney-General Robert McClelland said that "errors were made from ground level to the highest level.
"A man was wrongly charged ... A man was detained for longer than was really necessary. These situations are totally unacceptable and should not have occurred," he said."A man was wrongly charged ... A man was detained for longer than was really necessary. These situations are totally unacceptable and should not have occurred," he said.
The inquiry, led by retired New South Wales Supreme Court judge John Clarke QC, followed the arrest in July 2007 of Dr Haneef as he was trying to fly to India to see his wife and new born daughter.The inquiry, led by retired New South Wales Supreme Court judge John Clarke QC, followed the arrest in July 2007 of Dr Haneef as he was trying to fly to India to see his wife and new born daughter.
'Mystifying''Mystifying'
Police and prosecutors said his mobile phone SIM card had been found in the burning jeep that smashed into Glasgow airport on 30 June.Police and prosecutors said his mobile phone SIM card had been found in the burning jeep that smashed into Glasgow airport on 30 June.
That turned out to be wrong information and other inconsistencies soon spelled the collapse of the trial against Dr Haneef.That turned out to be wrong information and other inconsistencies soon spelled the collapse of the trial against Dr Haneef.
But the government intervened to cancel his bail and immigration authorities chose to cancel his Australia work visa. HANEEF CASE TIMELINE 2 July: Arrested in Brisbane14 July: Charged with providing "reckless support" to terrorism16 July: Granted bail, but kept in custody after work visa revoked27 July: Charges dropped29 July: Returns to India21 Aug: Court overturns government visa decisionBut the government intervened to cancel his bail and immigration authorities chose to cancel his Australia work visa. HANEEF CASE TIMELINE 2 July: Arrested in Brisbane14 July: Charged with providing "reckless support" to terrorism16 July: Granted bail, but kept in custody after work visa revoked27 July: Charges dropped29 July: Returns to India21 Aug: Court overturns government visa decision
The inquiry has found that Dr Haneef had no prior knowledge or involvement in the 2007 Glasgow or London attacks as claimed by police.The inquiry has found that Dr Haneef had no prior knowledge or involvement in the 2007 Glasgow or London attacks as claimed by police.
It added that some decisions in the case were "mystifying".It added that some decisions in the case were "mystifying".
The Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had consistently advised the then conservative government there was no credible evidence against Dr Haneef. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had consistently advised the then conservative government there was no credible evidence against Dr Haneef.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had also told the government the same thing, but later changed its position and backed a prosecutor's call to charge Dr Haneef.The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had also told the government the same thing, but later changed its position and backed a prosecutor's call to charge Dr Haneef.
"From a whole-of-government perspective ... no serious attempt was ever made to interrogate ASIO's assessment of Dr Haneef or to reconcile it with the approach pursued by the AFP," the report said."From a whole-of-government perspective ... no serious attempt was ever made to interrogate ASIO's assessment of Dr Haneef or to reconcile it with the approach pursued by the AFP," the report said.
However the report recommends no action be taken against any individuals in the government, intelligence or police organisations.However the report recommends no action be taken against any individuals in the government, intelligence or police organisations.
"I am still a little bit perplexed by that finding," said Dr Haneef's lawyer Peter Russo following the publication of details of the report."I am still a little bit perplexed by that finding," said Dr Haneef's lawyer Peter Russo following the publication of details of the report.
Revamp vitalRevamp vital
Retired judge Clarke says there should be a standing inquiry into anti-terrorism laws and practices.Retired judge Clarke says there should be a standing inquiry into anti-terrorism laws and practices.
He recommends clearer guidelines for the laying of terrorism charges against any individual.He recommends clearer guidelines for the laying of terrorism charges against any individual.
He says police and intelligence agencies must cooperate more closely, and that the police should face a parliamentary oversight committee.He says police and intelligence agencies must cooperate more closely, and that the police should face a parliamentary oversight committee.
He wants intelligence bodies to provide information and advice directly to immigration authorities.He wants intelligence bodies to provide information and advice directly to immigration authorities.
And he says the immigration minister of the time, Kevin Andrews, should have reflected more deeply before ordering the detention and deportation of Dr Haneef. Why the case disintegratedAnd he says the immigration minister of the time, Kevin Andrews, should have reflected more deeply before ordering the detention and deportation of Dr Haneef. Why the case disintegrated
That the catalogue of errors and controversy arose in an election year prompted concerns that then prime minister John Howard was using the case to bolster his anti-terrorism credentials.That the catalogue of errors and controversy arose in an election year prompted concerns that then prime minister John Howard was using the case to bolster his anti-terrorism credentials.
That last charge has been firmly rebuffed by the official inquiry set up by the successor government, led by Labor leader Kevin Rudd.That last charge has been firmly rebuffed by the official inquiry set up by the successor government, led by Labor leader Kevin Rudd.
There was no political conspiracy, the report has found, only a series of mistakes, lack of cooperation between police and intelligence operatives and a lack of "prudence".There was no political conspiracy, the report has found, only a series of mistakes, lack of cooperation between police and intelligence operatives and a lack of "prudence".
Dr Haneef is now living in the United Arab Emirates, and has said his family is still coming to terms with what happened in Australia.Dr Haneef is now living in the United Arab Emirates, and has said his family is still coming to terms with what happened in Australia.
The BBC's Nick Bryant says Dr Haneef's lawyers will be seeking compensation for him.The BBC's Nick Bryant says Dr Haneef's lawyers will be seeking compensation for him.