Untitled 14/07/2009 13:57

UPDATED ON:
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2007
16:46 MECCA TIME, 13:46 GMT

Australia extends Haneef detention

An Indian doctor who has been linked
by police to last month's failed bomb
attacks in the UK, is to remain in
custody in Australia, despite being
granted bail.

Muhammad Haneef was ordered to be

held in immigration detention pending
trial after his working visa had been
cancelled, Kevin Andrews, the
Australian immigration minister, said.
The move came hours after Haneef was
granted bail of $8,700 after a
magistrates court in Brisbane found no
clear link between him and the failed
bombing plots.

Andrews said Haneef had failed a

character test and he had used his
powers under immigration laws to
cancel the doctor's visa.<
"What I have declared is that I
reasonably suspect that he has, or has
had, an association with persons Haneef was earlier granted bail by a Brisbane
magistrate [GALLO/GETTY]
engaged in criminal activity, namely
terrorism, in the UK," Andrews said.

He added: "I am satisfied that the cancellation is in the national interest."

Andrews said Haneef will be detained despite the bail granted "I am satisfied
earlier on Monday. that the
cancellation is
in the national
Police charged Haneef with "recklessly" supporting a terrorist
group in the attacks in London and Glasgow, saying he had interest"
given a mobile phone SIM card to those involved in the attacks. Kevin Andrews,
Australian
But his lawyer says the prosecution's case is "extremely weak". immigration minister

Under the bail conditions, Haneef would have been barred from leaving Australia
and had to report to police three days a week until he appears before the court
on August 31.

If convicted, he could be jailed for a maximum of 15 years.

'No clear link'

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Untitled 14/07/2009 13:57

Prosecutors argued that Haneef should

remain behind bars, citing tough anti-
terror laws which allow bail only in
exceptional circumstances.

Setting bail, magistrate Jacqui Payne said

police had failed to uncover a clear link
between Haneef and a terrorist
organisation.

She said there was no specific allegation

that the mobile phone SIM card had been Haneef's lawyer, Peter Russo, says the
used in the attack plot. case against his client is weak [AFP]

Among her reasons for granting bail, Payne said Haneef's SIM card had not been
used in relation to the attempted bombings in London and Glasgow last month.

She also cited Haneef's good employment record, his lack of a criminal history
and the fact that he was employed as a doctor.

Two car bombs primed to explode in London's theatre and nightclub district were
discovered early on June 29.

The following day a jeep crashed into the terminal building at Glasgow airport and
burst into flames.

Open court

Three people, including Haneef, have so far been charged in connection with the
attempted bomb attacks.

All but one of the eight original suspects are medical practitioners from the Middle
East or India.

Haneef's 12-day detention before being charged sparked criticism by civil rights
groups.

Haneef's family has also strongly protested his innocence, with his wife Firdous
calling the charge "senseless" and appealing to Manmohan Singh, the Indian
prime minister, for help.

Mohammed Shoaib, Haneef's younger brother, told Australian national radio the
doctor handed the SIM card to a known person "because there was free talk-time
on the card and he didn't want to waste that".

Source: Agencies

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