Australian prosecutors have dropped terror charges against an Indian doctor over the failed bomb attacks in the UK.
An Indian doctor has been freed from custody in Australia after charges linked to the failed bomb attacks in the UK were dropped.
Mohamed Haneef had been accused of giving "reckless support" to terrorism by providing a relative in Britain with his mobile phone SIM card.
Dr Mohamed Haneef was released into home detention while he awaits a decision on his immigration status.
Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg said, following a review of the case, that "a mistake has been made".
The 27-year-old had his visa revoked after he was charged with giving "reckless support" to terrorism.
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said Dr Haneef would be given home detention while his visa status is considered.
The charge was withdrawn on Friday after Australia's chief prosecutor admitted "a mistake has been made".
The 27-year-old doctor had been in custody since he was detained by police on 2 July at Brisbane airport.
The case - which also threw new anti-terror laws under the spotlight - triggered concern from both legal and civil rights groups.
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.
Mohamed Haneef's wife and other members of his family in India expressed their delight at his release.
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.
"We are just waiting for a bridging visa for my husband because I don't want him to get deported. I want him to come back normally, as a regular," Firdous Arshiya said.
'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The case was withdrawn during a hearing at Brisbane court on Friday at the request of Mr Bugg.
The case was withdrawn during a hearing at Brisbane court on Friday at the request of Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg.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 later 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
Firdous Arshiya said she was "extremely happy" at her husband's release
"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 presented 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
Visa move
Kevin Andrews said that Dr Haneef would be granted home detention while he awaits a final decision on his immigration status.
Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said that Dr Haneef would be granted home detention while he awaits a final decision on his immigration status.
The case had led to protests in Australia
"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".
Mr Andrews had caused controversy earlier this month after revoking Dr Haneef's visa on character grounds, based on the charges against him.
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.
Dr Haneef had been working at the Gold Coast Hospital in Queensland when he was detained trying to board a flight to India on 2 July.
Three other people have been charged in the UK, including Dr Haneef's second cousin Sabeel Ahmed.
It came days after two cars containing petrol, gas cylinders and nails were discovered in London, and a burning car was driven into Glasgow airport.
Three people have been charged over the failed bombings in the UK, including Dr Haneef's second cousin Sabeel Ahmed.
What do you think of the police investigation? How do you think the case was handled? Send us your comments using the form below.
What do you think of the police investigation? How do you think the case was handled? Send us your comments using the form below.
