Australian prosecutors have dropped terror charges against an Indian doctor over the failed bomb attacks in the UK.
Australian prosecutors have dropped terror charges against an Indian doctor over the failed bomb attacks in the UK.
Mohamed Haneef had been accused of giving "reckless support" to terrorism by providing a relative in Britain with his mobile phone SIM card.
Mohamed Haneef had been accused of giving "reckless support" to terrorism by providing a relative in Britain with his mobile phone SIM card.
Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg said, following a review of the case, that "a mistake has been made".
Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg said, following a review of the case, that "a mistake has been made".
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said Dr Haneef would be given home detention while his visa status is considered.
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said Dr Haneef would be given home detention while his visa status is considered.
The 27-year-old doctor had been in custody since he was detained by police on 2 July at Brisbane airport.
The 27-year-old doctor had been in custody since he was detained by police on 2 July at Brisbane airport.
Mr Andrews cancelled his visa on 16 July - just hours after a magistrate granted him bail - on character grounds, which effectively kept him in detention.
Mr Andrews cancelled his visa on 16 July - just hours after a magistrate granted him bail - on character grounds, which effectively kept him in detention.
That decision, as well as disputed prosecution evidence and a lengthy detention without charge under new anti-terror laws, triggered concern from both legal and civil rights groups.
That decision, as well as disputed prosecution evidence and a lengthy detention without charge under new anti-terror laws, triggered concern from both legal and civil rights groups.
'Keystone Cops'
'Keystone Cops'
The case was withdrawn during a hearing at Brisbane court on Friday at the request of Mr Bugg.
The case was withdrawn during a hearing at Brisbane court on Friday at the request of Mr Bugg.
He told a news conference that a review of the case found that there was no reasonable prospect of convicting Dr Haneef on the evidence available.
He told a news conference that a review of the case found that there was no reasonable prospect of convicting Dr Haneef on the evidence available.
Dr Haneef's ongoing detention sparked concern
Dr Haneef's ongoing detention sparked concern
"In the circumstances of this case I do not believe that evidence to prove the case to the requisite standard will be obtained," he said. "On my view of the matter a mistake has been made."
"In the circumstances of this case I do not believe that evidence to prove the case to the requisite standard will be obtained," he said. "On my view of the matter a mistake has been made."
The case against Dr Haneef came under question after prosecution evidence made in a previous hearing was disputed.
The case against Dr Haneef came under question after prosecution evidence made in a previous hearing was disputed.
Prosecutors had claimed that the doctor's SIM card had been found in the burning car that crashed into Glasgow international airport on 30 June.
Prosecutors had claimed that the doctor's SIM card had been found in the burning car that crashed into Glasgow international airport on 30 June.
But it later emerged the card had actually been found in a flat in Liverpool, some 300km (185 miles) from Glasgow, where his cousin lived.
But it later emerged the card had actually been found in a flat in Liverpool, some 300km (185 miles) from Glasgow, where his cousin lived.
The decision to drop the charges was accepted by the head of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Mick Keelty, who attended the news conference with Mr Bugg.
The decision to drop the charges was accepted by the head of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Mick Keelty, who attended the news conference with Mr Bugg.
He defended police handling of the case, which had been likened to the "Keystone Cops" by Queensland premier Peter Beattie earlier in the week.
He defended police handling of the case, which had been likened to the "Keystone Cops" by Queensland premier Peter Beattie earlier in the week.
"This remains an ongoing investigation," Mr Keelty said. "It is a complex and painstaking process and the AFP will continue to work with its UK colleagues to fully explore the evidence and establish the facts."
"This remains an ongoing investigation," Mr Keelty said. "It is a complex and painstaking process and the AFP will continue to work with its UK colleagues to fully explore the evidence and establish the facts."
Deportation threat
Deportation threat
Kevin Andrews said that Dr Haneef would be granted home detention while he awaits a final decision on his immigration status.
Kevin Andrews said that Dr Haneef would be granted home detention while he awaits a final decision on his immigration status.
"He is free to move about in the community, but as a matter of legal principle... he is formally in detention," he said.
"He is free to move about in the community, but as a matter of legal principle... he is formally in detention," he said.
Dr Haneef's lawyers have already said they will fight any attempt to deport their client. The doctor's wife, Firdaus Arshiya, on Friday said she wanted him to return to India "normally".
Dr Haneef's lawyers have already said they will fight any attempt to deport their client. The doctor's wife, Firdaus Arshiya, on Friday said she wanted him to return to India "normally".
The doctor had been working at the Gold Coast Hospital in Queensland when he was detained trying to board a flight to India within days of the failed bomb attacks on central London and Glasgow airport.
The doctor had been working at the Gold Coast Hospital in Queensland when he was detained trying to board a flight to India within days of the failed bomb attacks on central London and Glasgow airport.
Three other people have been charged in the UK, including Dr Haneef's second cousin Sabeel Ahmed.
Three other people have been charged in the UK, including Dr Haneef's second cousin Sabeel Ahmed.
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