The Hindu : Front Page : Haneef moved by people’s support

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 20, 2007
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Haneef moved by people’s support

Sent to Wolston correctional centre

Melbourne: Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef, charged with supporting a terrorist organisation, broke down in jail after he heard of the widespread support he was getting from common people in Australia, his lawyer said.

The 27-year-old doctor from Bangalore was surprised and deeply touched when told that lawyers as well as ordinary people were rallying behind him, his lawyer Peter Russo told protestors outside the Department of Immigration. “Some of what’s occurring today may come as a little bit of a shock to him,” Mr. Russo said. “He was moved to tears when I told him about it [the support] because I think for him he hasn’t understood the impact that it’s had on the rest of the community and I don’t think he regards himself as being such an important person,” The Australian quoted him as saying.

He said he expected Dr. Haneef to be amazed at his high-profile coverage after having access to newspapers and television news reports for the first time on Wednesday night since his arrest at Brisbane Airport on July 2. “I’m pretty sure he will be stunned and he’s going to have a million questions for me,” he said.

Dr. Haneef was moved to the Wolston correctional centre on Wednesday after failing to post a $10,000 surety, which would allow him to be transferred to the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney. He is charged with supporting a terrorist organisation after giving a mobile phone SIM card to a relative, who was later accused of being involved in plotting car bomb attacks in the U.K. — PTI

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