An Indian doctor whose arrest and subsequent release may lead to a change in Australia's antiterrorism law said yesterday that for now he just wants to get on with his new life in the UAE.
Dr Mohammed Haneef was arrested in Brisbane Airport in July 2007 for a suspected connection with attacks in London and Glasgow. His visa was also cancelled. A judicial inquiry by the retired judge John Clarke into the circumstances of Dr Haneef's arrest found no evidence of a link to the attacks.
The report was commissioned by Robert McClelland, the attorney general, who later said that changes would be made in Australia's antiterrorism law in light of Dr Haneef's case.
The report, to be released in the next few days, found that he should not have been charged and has recommended wide-ranging changes to the Australian Federal Police, immigration intelligence and the nation's antiterrorism laws, according to The Australian.
The report found the Australian government innocent of any improper behaviour, conspiracy or political agenda in ordering the doctor's arrest and subsequent deportation, the newspaper said.
Dr Haneef, who now works at a private health clinic in Umm Al Quwain, said he would "like an apology but that is all" from the Australian government, and was not seeking compensation.
"I am very, very pleased that Mr Clarke has made the clear finding that I was totally innocent in the matters that were alleged against me.
"This is definitely the decision I wanted but at the same time I would like the Government, especially the ministers involved, to acknowledge the report and its findings."
He said he now wanted to get on with his life with his wife and daughter.
"I do not want anything further from them. It is now up to the Government to act on the findings and address the issues raised. I am not an expert but Mr Clarke has made some recommendations which I think would be good to act upon."
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
