Paul Maley; 28/10/08; (2 Items)
The Howard government hoped Mohamed Haneef would “see the writing on the wall” and leave Australia voluntarily, fearing the cancellation of his visa would provoke a diplomatic incident with India. Documents obtained under freedom of information laws and released yesterday by Dr Haneef’s legal team, reveal the concern the terrorism case generated at the highest level of the Howard government. An email from a senior Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade official, Zena Armstrong, written on July 12 last year – 10 days after Dr Haneef was arrested – refers to discussions involving the Australian high commissioner in India, John McCarthy, foreign minister Alexander Downer and defence minister Brendan Nelson, who was visiting India as the crisis unfolded. According to Ms Armstrong, Mr McCarthy was concerned that revoking Dr Haneef’s visa and deporting him to his native India, would play “very badly” in New Delhi.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24562308-5013404,00.html
Lawyers allege conspiracy against Haneef
Brendan Nicholson; 28/10/08
Lawyers representing Mohamed Haneef say they are convinced that senior members of the Howard government devised a plan to cancel the Indian doctor’s visa if he was not convicted of terrorism. Dr Haneef, 27, was picked up in July last year by members of a joint federal and Queensland police taskforce as he was about to leave Australia for India via Malaysia. His detention followed a terrorist attack in the UK but he has never been charged in connection with the attack and he has since been told by the AFP that he is not considered a person of interest and its active inquiries into him are finished. But an AFP submission to the Clarke inquiry, which is examining the handling of his detention and the investigation by various authorities, said “some overseas inquiries are yet to be finalised”.
See: http://www.theage.com.au/national/lawyers-allege-conspiracy-against-haneef-20081027-59sx.html