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Sunday, Jul 29, 2007
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Haneef on flight back home

Gives rights of exclusive interview to Australia’s Channel 9

Melbourne: Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef was on Saturday night on his way back home after an ordeal in Australia. His departure by choice came a day after he was cleared of terrorism-related charges and released from custody but into “residential detention.”

The Thai Airways flight to Bangkok took off at 12.30 a.m. local time (8 p.m. in India) from the Brisbane airport. Dr. Haneef was taken there by immigration staff.

The flight is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok at daybreak local time. Dr. Haneef has several flight options to reach India later on Sunday.

Dr. Haneef did not speak to the media before departure. (According to privileged sources with whom The Hindu was in touch, Dr. Haneef has given the exclusive rights to interview him in the popular “60 Minutes” programme on Channel 9, one of the three major free-to-air commercial networks in Australia.)

Peter Russo, the doctor’s lawyer, said Dr. Haneef, whose work visa has been cancelled, was not being deported. He was leaving voluntarily as he was homesick and pining for his family in Bangalore. The lawyer was flying to India with Dr. Haneef, whose relative Imran Siddiqui, who came to Australia last week to provide support to the doctor, was on board.

Earlier in the day, Australian officials handed him back his passport, and told him he was free to leave. While Dr. Haneef no longer faced terrorism charges, his working visa remained suspended and Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said he would fight any attempt to have it restored.

“I do not propose to change my decision and the Commonwealth will continue to resist this appeal in the Federal Court,” Mr. Andrews said. He said Dr. Haneef’s lawyers had sought permission for him to leave Australia after his release and the government agreed because the doctor would not have been allowed to stay without a visa anyway. Mr. Russo said the authorities had gagged his client from speaking to the media before he left, and added that Dr. Haneef would continue the fight to clear his name from India. — Agencies.

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