Haneef seeks apology from Australia

Bangalore, July 30 (UNI) Freed terror suspect Mohammed Haneef today said he was ''a victim of Australian conspiracy'' and would be happy if the Australian Government apologised to the peace loving people of India, if not to him individually.

Addressing a crowded news conference here, he said he was a victim of Australian conspiracy and not an international one.

''I want my visa back and work in Australia. I will fight for it,'' he added.

Replying to a volley of questions, Haneef said he did not expect the Australian authorities to apologise to him for his detention for nearly a month. ''But I will be too happy if they apologised to the peace loving citizens of India and the Government,'' he added.

He said, ''I do not want anybody to be victimised in the name of terror''.

He said he was a true follower of Islam which preached peace and love. He thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy who stood by him during the hour of crisis.

Earlier, he called on the Chief Minister at his home office. Mr Kumaraswamy, who handed over a bouquet of flowers to him, assured all help to him.

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