Haneef's lawyer silent on '$1m Oz Govt compensation' Indian media report claim

Canberra, Dec 22 (ANI): The lawyer of Mohamed Haneef, the Indian-origin doctor who was wrongly arrested over suspicion of involvement in the 2007 Glasgow International Airport terrorist attack, has refused to confirm that he had received a million dollars in compensation as was reportedly claimed by a section of the Indian media yesterday.

It was reported yesterday that Dr Haneef was awarded a substantial but confidential amount of compensation following negotiations with the federal government. However, an Indian daily newspaper had claimed that the amount could be as much as one million dollars.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Haneef's lawyer Rod Hodgson has said that the settlement was "substantial" and that he was "delighted" with the deal, but did not confirm the amount.

Yesterday Hodgson had said that part of the agreement is that the parties would not discuss the details of the settlement, and added: "Although I can say that Dr Haneef will receive a substantial compensation."

Dr Mohamed Haneef returned to Australia last week to seek compensation after he was wrongfully accused of terrorist links and held in prison in July 2007. He was taken into custody and charged with recklessly giving support to a terrorist organisation when his mobile phone SIM card was linked to an attack in Britain in 2007.

However, charges against the Indian born doctor were dropped as prosecutors admitted bungling the case, and an independent inquiry cleared him of any wrongdoing. (ANI)