Haneef's lawyer says Keelty's statement self-contradictory

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Sydney, Oct 24 (UNI) A lawyer for Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef, who was arrested and later acquitted of terror charges in the failed car bombings in the UK, today expressed surprise over the Federal Police chief's statement that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the medic.

''I am surprised because that is totally contrary to everything he has said up to date,'' counsel for Dr Haneef, Peter Russo told ABC Radio.

''He's trying to suggest that there was more to this matter than what everybody knew about,'' he said.

''I don't know where it comes from or why he has done this, but I am astounded at this late stage that he just comes out.'' Mr Keelty in a published interview to 'The Bulletin' yesterday said he had warned prosecutors that evidence against the Indian doctor was insufficient.

Dr Haneef was granted bail on July 16, but Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews intervened hours later to cancel his visa.

Mr Andrews is now resisting Dr Haneef's attempts to get his visa back, and has appealed against a Federal Court ruling that he made a jurisdictional error in cancelling the doctor's visa in July.

Mr Russo said the revelation by Mr Keelty would be of little use to them during the appeal set down for November 15 in the Federal Court.

''Unfortunately, the way appeals work is that they only look at the information that was before the first court,'' Mr Russo said.

''So really we're limited in trying to introduce new evidence,'' he added.

UNI

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