The Hindu : National : Haneef’s uncle to leave for Australia

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Sunday, Jul 22, 2007
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Haneef’s uncle to leave for Australia

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: A second relative of Mohammed Haneef’s family, the Indian doctor detained as a terror suspect in Australia, will be visiting him shortly, said Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed, speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a function here on Saturday.

Firdous Arshiya, Dr. Haneef’s wife, had approached the Minister for assistance in facilitating a visa for another relative to visit Dr. Haneef.

Mr. Ahamed told The Hindu that Dr. Haneef’s uncle, Iqbal Ahmed Siddiqui, has been granted a visa and will be leaving for Australia shortly.

On Friday, Imran Siddiqui, Dr. Haneef’s cousin, left for Brisbane to provide support to him during his detention.

Mr. Ahamed said that an officer from the Indian Consulate met Dr. Haneef on Friday, and said that he is in good health, though he is sad about the action taken by the Australian Government.

“We are all saddened by the events. This matter has not made anyone happy. The media, the legal fraternity, human rights activists in India and Australia are unhappy by the turn of events,” he said.

Asked whether the developments in the Haneef Mohammed case must be seen as a legal matter or a political one, he said, “Let us just take this as a legal and diplomatic matter.”

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