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Haneef terrorism charges dropped | Haneef terrorism charges dropped |
(1 day later) | |
An Indian doctor has been freed from custody in Australia after charges linked to the failed bomb attacks in the UK were dropped. | An Indian doctor has been freed from custody in Australia after charges linked to the failed bomb attacks in the UK were dropped. |
Dr Mohamed Haneef was released into home detention while he awaits a decision on his immigration status. | Dr Mohamed Haneef was released into home detention while he awaits a decision on his immigration status. |
The 27-year-old had his visa revoked after he was charged with giving "reckless support" to terrorism. | The 27-year-old had his visa revoked after he was charged with giving "reckless support" to terrorism. |
The charge was withdrawn on Friday after Australia's chief prosecutor admitted "a mistake has been made". | The charge was withdrawn on Friday after Australia's chief prosecutor admitted "a mistake has been made". |
The case - which also threw new anti-terror laws under the spotlight - triggered concern from both legal and civil rights groups. | The case - which also threw new anti-terror laws under the spotlight - triggered concern from both legal and civil rights groups. |
'Keystone Cops' | 'Keystone Cops' |
Mohamed Haneef's wife and other members of his family in India expressed their delight at his release. | Mohamed Haneef's wife and other members of his family in India expressed their delight at his release. |
"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. | "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. |
Firdous Arshiya said she was "extremely happy" at her husband's release | Firdous Arshiya said she was "extremely happy" at her husband's release |
The case was withdrawn during a hearing at Brisbane court on Friday at the request of Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg. | The case was withdrawn during a hearing at Brisbane court on Friday at the request of Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg. |
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. | 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. |
"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 presented 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. |
The [Australian police] will continue to work with its UK colleagues to fully explore the evidence and establish the facts Mick KeeltyHead of Australian Federal Police Why the case disintegrated | The [Australian police] will continue to work with its UK colleagues to fully explore the evidence and establish the facts Mick KeeltyHead of Australian Federal Police Why the case disintegrated |
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." |
Visa move | Visa move |
Immigration Minister 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 | 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. |
Mr Andrews had caused controversy earlier this month after revoking Dr Haneef's visa on character grounds, based on the charges against him. | Mr Andrews had caused controversy earlier this month after revoking Dr Haneef's visa on character grounds, based on the charges against him. |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. | Three people have been charged over the failed bombings in the UK, including Dr Haneef's second cousin Sabeel Ahmed. |