The Hindu : Front Page : “Haneef gave reckless material support to terror suspects”

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 18, 2007
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“Haneef gave reckless material support to terror suspects”

P.S. Suryanarayana

Another charge hinted at in paper given to lawyers

“Intentionally provided” resources to terrorist group
Visa cancelled on basis of “protected information”

SINGAPORE: Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said on Tuesday that the Brisbane-based Indian doctor, Mohammed Haneef, “has been charged with offering material support recklessly” to terror suspects in the United Kingdom.

Responding to questions in a late-night interview, Mr. Ruddock said he was, however, “not privy” to a “further charge” which might have been laid to indicate that Dr. Haneef intentionally provided resources to a terrorist organisation.

The latter charge was hinted at in a document the defence lawyers received from the authorities earlier in the day.

Mr. Ruddock said the document, outlining the reasons behind the cancellation of Dr. Haneef’s work visa, was based, in part, on “protected information.” Such information would be kept out of the public domain but the evidence could be dealt with “confidentially” between the court and those who “submit it.”

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty earlier said the “specific charge” against Dr. Haneef related to his “recklessness rather than intention” in supporting terror suspects in the U.K.

On the controversy over the apparent nullification of Dr. Haneef’s bail, Mr. Ruddock said the “intention of the Parliament” in passing the new counter-terror laws was that “there would be a presumption against bail.”

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