Concerns over Haneef Affair
Haneef documents revealed full police interview transcript available at http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,24897,22093906-601,00.html
from SMH
July 17, 2007 - 5:54PM
Mohamed Haneef.
Lawyers for Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef have publicly released documents served on the terror suspect outlining Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews's decision to revoke his work visa.
Haneef is charged with "recklessly" supporting a terrorist organisation, with the Australian Federal Police alleging he supported foiled plans to detonate truck bombs in Britain.
A Brisbane magistrate yesterday granted Haneef bail, but hours later Mr Andrews revoked his visa and said Haneef would be held in immigration detention until the charge was heard.
The 52-page document includes details of Haneef's relationship with British terrorism suspects and relatives Sabeel and Kafeel Ahmed.
However, the document also indicates significant pieces of information have been withheld from Haneef's legal team for security reasons.
The information made publicly available alleges Haneef kept in regular contact with Sabeel Ahmed and communicated with him as recently as June 26, three days before unexploded car bombs were found outside London nightclubs.
It also reveals Haneef told investigators that Kafeel Ahmed, the alleged driver of the flaming jeep that crashed into Glasgow Airport, lent him £300 to sit medical exams in 2004.
The documents also indicated that refusing Haneef's visa might serve to deter others from committing similar offences.
A spokesman for Haneef's lawyer Peter Russo said he decided to release the information to keep the public informed.
Meanwhile Haneef's lawyers said they would launch an appeal tomorrow against Mr Andrews' decision to revoke his work visa.
The Gold Coast-based doctor's visa was cancelled yesterday within hours of him being granted bail by a Brisbane magistrate on charges of supporting a terrorist organisation, meaning he will remain in immigration detention pending the hearing of his case.
Government's Haneef treatment "deplorable" - lawyers
A peak legal body representing 1500 lawyers across Australia says the Federal Government's treatment of terror suspect Mohamed Haneef is "deplorable".
Australian Lawyers Alliance president Ian Brown said in Brisbane today Australia would be outraged if one of their citizens was treated the same way as Haneef overseas.
"The minister's decision is a grave departure from the standards of justice you would expect to see in any civilised society and we are appalled that this is happening in Australia," Mr Brown said.
"The Australian Lawyers Alliance believes the decision by the Howard government to cancel Dr Haneef's visa is little more than reactive and political.
"The ALA calls on the Government and the Opposition to immediately review their position on Dr Haneef and to let his matter be determined by law."
ALA national director and Perth barrister, Tom Percy, QC, said when the Government was able to usurp the decision of a magistrate, the rule of law no longer applied.
"A judicial officer has heard the case in regards to Dr Haneef and has granted him nominal bail," said Mr Percy.
"The magistrate heard both sides of the case and the minister should not circumvent that.
"The separation of powers must apply. If there was any evidence presented to the court that this man was a significant risk at any level he would never have been granted bail.
"If the prosecution disagreed with the decision to grant Dr Haneef bail, they could appeal that decision in the Supreme Court but we have seen no evidence of that taking place.
"Instead, the Federal Government has taken away this man's right to a fair hearing."
from SMH
July 17, 2007 - 5:54PM
Mohamed Haneef.
Lawyers for Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef have publicly released documents served on the terror suspect outlining Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews's decision to revoke his work visa.
Haneef is charged with "recklessly" supporting a terrorist organisation, with the Australian Federal Police alleging he supported foiled plans to detonate truck bombs in Britain.
A Brisbane magistrate yesterday granted Haneef bail, but hours later Mr Andrews revoked his visa and said Haneef would be held in immigration detention until the charge was heard.
The 52-page document includes details of Haneef's relationship with British terrorism suspects and relatives Sabeel and Kafeel Ahmed.
However, the document also indicates significant pieces of information have been withheld from Haneef's legal team for security reasons.
The information made publicly available alleges Haneef kept in regular contact with Sabeel Ahmed and communicated with him as recently as June 26, three days before unexploded car bombs were found outside London nightclubs.
It also reveals Haneef told investigators that Kafeel Ahmed, the alleged driver of the flaming jeep that crashed into Glasgow Airport, lent him £300 to sit medical exams in 2004.
The documents also indicated that refusing Haneef's visa might serve to deter others from committing similar offences.
A spokesman for Haneef's lawyer Peter Russo said he decided to release the information to keep the public informed.
Meanwhile Haneef's lawyers said they would launch an appeal tomorrow against Mr Andrews' decision to revoke his work visa.
The Gold Coast-based doctor's visa was cancelled yesterday within hours of him being granted bail by a Brisbane magistrate on charges of supporting a terrorist organisation, meaning he will remain in immigration detention pending the hearing of his case.
Government's Haneef treatment "deplorable" - lawyers
A peak legal body representing 1500 lawyers across Australia says the Federal Government's treatment of terror suspect Mohamed Haneef is "deplorable".
Australian Lawyers Alliance president Ian Brown said in Brisbane today Australia would be outraged if one of their citizens was treated the same way as Haneef overseas.
"The minister's decision is a grave departure from the standards of justice you would expect to see in any civilised society and we are appalled that this is happening in Australia," Mr Brown said.
"The Australian Lawyers Alliance believes the decision by the Howard government to cancel Dr Haneef's visa is little more than reactive and political.
"The ALA calls on the Government and the Opposition to immediately review their position on Dr Haneef and to let his matter be determined by law."
ALA national director and Perth barrister, Tom Percy, QC, said when the Government was able to usurp the decision of a magistrate, the rule of law no longer applied.
"A judicial officer has heard the case in regards to Dr Haneef and has granted him nominal bail," said Mr Percy.
"The magistrate heard both sides of the case and the minister should not circumvent that.
"The separation of powers must apply. If there was any evidence presented to the court that this man was a significant risk at any level he would never have been granted bail.
"If the prosecution disagreed with the decision to grant Dr Haneef bail, they could appeal that decision in the Supreme Court but we have seen no evidence of that taking place.
"Instead, the Federal Government has taken away this man's right to a fair hearing."
posted by alexx at
12:22 am
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