I want to evaluate options before going back to Australia: Haneef

Bangalore, Jan 4 (UNI) Dr Mohammad Haneef, the Indian doctor arrested by the Australian Federal police on charges of alleged terror links last year, today said that he wanted to go back to Australia but would study the options available to him now before taking the a final decision.

Dr Haneef, who returned here today from Jeddah after the Haj pilgrimage, said that he now had options that he would evaluate before deciding to go back to Australia.

"I will think when to go back to Australia as at present I have three options and going back is only one of them. Now I have a job offer in the Middle East, while I can also think of persuing my Master's Degree in Medicine in Bangalore. When I can return to Australia will also depend on how safe my family will be once I go back and whether Gold Cost hospital would give my job back, he told UNI at his father-in-law's residence in BTM layout residence here.

Dr Haneef said he had not received any communication, either from the Australian government or from the Hospital. "So far I have not heard anything from the Australian government or from my hospital. I don't know whether the hospital would offer me the job again. But I am sure they would be willing to use my services," he added.

The head shaven young doctor said that he do expect to be compensated from the Australian government for its police 'framing' him for alleged terror links without sufficient evidence. "Yes I want the government (Australia) to compensate for all the trouble I took for no fault of mine. I want the Australian government to ensure our safety of my family and see that no road block is put while I work in Australia once I go back. More importantly I would like the government to hold an open inquiry if it still wanted to persue my case further. There should be assurance that we are not harassed in any way," he added.

He expressed happy over the verdict of the full bench of the Federal Court which last month upheld a judge's earlier decision to reinstate his visa which was revoked by the Australian government before he was sent back.

Dr Haneef, working as a doctor in Gold Coast hospital in Brisbane was arrested on July two last year and charged 12 days later. He had to spend nearly a month in custody of the Australian police after he was framed of aiding terror acts.

This was the result of his sim card, left back in UK before coming to Australia, was linked to failed Glasgow airport attack on June 30. The charges were dropped a fortnight later.

UNI RS MSP TS2113