Australia Drops Charges Against Doctor Over U.K. Plot July 27, 2007
Posted by Scarecrow in 07/27/07 Bloomberg.trackback
Australia Drops Charges Against Doctor Over U.K. Plot (Update3)
By Madelene Pearson
July 27 (Bloomberg) — Australia’s public prosecutor dropped charges against an Indian doctor in connection with a car bomb plot in the U.K., saying that mistakes were made. The government ordered him released from custody under conditions.
Prosecutors are “not convinced that the evidence establishes a reasonable prospect of conviction against” Mohammed Haneef, Damian Bugg, Australia’s Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, said in a statement. “On my view of this matter a mistake has been made.”
Haneef, 27, has been in custody since July 2 and was charged July 14 with recklessly supporting terrorist activities. Police said he provided a mobile phone SIM card to people allegedly involved in a failed attempt to detonate car bombs in London’s West End on June 29 and an attack on Glasgow International Airport a day later.
The government revoked Haneef’s visa July 16 in response to a decision by a Brisbane court earlier that day to free him on bail.
It will seek advice from the solicitor general on the decision to cancel the visa, Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said today after the charges were dropped. Until then, Haneef will be released from custody and will be allowed to return to his home under conditions.
“He has to reside at an agreed place,” Andrews said at a news conference in Melbourne. “It means he is free to actually move about in the community.”
Haneef will have to report to immigration officials every day by telephone and in person every few days until a decision is made on whether the can stay in Australia, he added. Haneef’s passport hasn’t been returned.
Two Errors
Bugg ordered a review of all the material relating to the case on July 25. One of his prosecutors had put two errors of fact before the court, he said today.
“The first related to the SIM card and was based on a misunderstanding of the facts,” Bugg said at a joint news conference with Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty in Canberra. “The second related to the residence of Dr. Haneef in the U.K. and was based on incorrect material provided by the AFP.”
Bugg said his office will investigate how mistakes were made. “I’m disappointed that it’s happened.”
Keelty said the police investigation had been thorough.
“The advice that was given the minister still stands as correct,” Keelty said. “The matter of apology to Mr. Haneef is not a matter for the Australian Federal Police,” he added.
To contact the reporter on this story: Madelene Pearson in Canberra on mpearson1@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: July 27, 2007 03:40 EDT
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awjLIPzw1aDQ&refer=home
Please visit Realterror to comment on this article!
