Reply #4: Haneef heads home [View All]

Press Trust of India

MELBOURNE, July 28: ~snip~

The Gold Coast-based doctor was released from a Brisbane jail yesterday after a charge against him of providing support to a terrorist organisation was dropped.

Australian Immigration minister Mr Kevin Andrews, who cancelled Dr Haneef’s work visa on 16 July when a Brisbane magistrate granted the doctor bail, said the visa remained cancelled. He said Dr Haneef’s lawyers had contacted the Immigration Department asking if the doctor could leave Australia as soon as possible. “After taking advice, including from the Australian Federal Police, I have indicated that the Commonwealth has no objection to Dr Haneef leaving Australia. Indeed, the effect of the visa cancellation is that he should remove himself, he should depart Australia in any event,” he said. Mr Andrews said Dr Haneef’s Indian passport would be given back to him, although his visa remained cancelled.

Mr Russo said the Indian doctor had vowed to keep fighting to have his Australian immigration work visa reinstated.He said Dr Haneef wanted to thank Australians who had supported him throughout his detention and added that the doctor’s legal team was disappointed their client was prevented from publicly thanking Australians who supported him through his detention. Reports here said that immigration authorities made it a condition of facilitating his return to India that he not take part in news media photo or interview opportunities. ~snip~

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1&theme=&usrsess=1&id=164263