Haneef seeks compensation from Oz for false detention

Melbourne, Dec 23: Mohamed Haneef, the Indian born doctor will seek substantial compensation and an official apology from the Australian Govt over his wrongful detention last year.

Dr haneef was wrongly detained last year over the suspected links to terrorist acts in the UK, according to a report issued by retired NSW Supreme Court judge John Clarke. Bernard Murphy, a member of Dr Haneef's legal team, said the report was a 'complete exoneration and vindication of Dr Haneef. He also said the report was a 'political disaster' for former Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews and an 'organisational disaster' for the Australian Federal Police.

The Courier Mail quoted Murphy as saying that Andrews' attempt to use the report to justify his actions were 'more spin' from the Govt. 'It's just a joke,' he said. Dr Haneef, speaking today from Dubai where he is working as a GP, said he was grateful to Clarke for his report.

"I was very very pleased, very relieved and thankful. It has given me a clean sheet," he said.
He said he didn't hold any resentment towards the Australian govt but when asked if he expected an apology, he said 'that would go very handy'. Haneef and his lawyers said it was as yet too early for him to consider returning to Australia.

The Australian Federal Poilce have accepted the findings of the inquiry and Attorney-General Robert McClelland said that mistakes had been made from officer level to the highest level.
"At the end of the day political leaders and agency heads must accept responsibility for errors that occurred on their watch. But we have full confidence in all agency heads," McClelland said.

ANI