Qld: Haneef to learn visa fate tomorrow

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-2007
Qld: Haneef to learn visa fate tomorrow

BRISBANE, Aug 20 AAP - Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef will learn tomorrow whether his
appeal to have his work visa reinstated has been successful.

Lawyers for Dr Haneef lodged the appeal last month, just days after Immigration Minister
Kevin Andrews cancelled the former terrorism suspect's work visa on character grounds.

In cancelling the visa, Mr Andrews said he had a reasonable suspicion Dr Haneef had
"associated" with terrorists, specifically his second cousins Kafeel and Sabeel Ahmed,
both allegedly involved in failed bomb plots in the UK in June.

However, at a Federal Court hearing in Brisbane on August 8, Dr Haneef's lawyers disputed
the minister's use of the word "association" and questioned whether any relationship with
an alleged criminal, even an innocent one, would be enough to justify a visa cancellation.

Solicitor General David Bennett QC had told the court that "association" in the minister's
usage was more like "mates" to the average Australian.

He said not only had Dr Haneef given his mobile phone SIM card to Sabeel Ahmed when
he left the UK last year, but he had borrowed money from Kafeel and stayed with the brothers
for a short time.

Following the day-and-a-half long hearing, Justice Jeffrey Spender reserved his decision
until noon (AEST) tomorrow.

Dr Haneef, who worked as a junior doctor at the Gold Coast Hospital, was charged with
providing support to a terrorism organisation on July 14, following 12 days of detention
under anti-terror laws.

A Brisbane magistrate granted him bail on July 16, before Mr Andrews intervened.

However, the charge against him was dropped within a fortnight after Commonwealth Director
of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg found there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction
against the Indian doctor.

Dr Haneef returned to India a day later but has stated publicly he wants to return
to Australia to continue his physician training at the Gold Coast Hospital.

AAP ews/pjo/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: HANEEF COURT

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