Melbourne, July 23 (PTI): A relative of Mohammed Haneef, who flew in from India over the weekend to provide him moral support, is yet to receive permission to see the detained doctor, his lawyer today said.

Imran Siddiqui, a cousin of Haneef's wife Firdous Arshiya, arrived in Brisbane on Saturday night from Bangalore. Lawyer Peter Russo said he has made an application to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for Siddiqui to visit Haneef.

However, he warned Siddiqui that he may have to stay in Australia for a long time.

"At the moment I'm just trying to sort through some of the family issues," he said adding "now that Imran is here, obviously I have to spend some time with him trying to resolve some of the issues with him.

"There's a few things we need to sit down and get down so that he can explain it properly to the family back in India," he was quoted as saying by Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Siddiqui yesterday told reporters that the Indian doctor was innocent and should be released from custody. Haneef has been charged with providing support to a terrorist organisation.

"I've come to take him back - he's innocent that I know. We know the truth is that he's not connected to these things. It's not wrong on my part to expect that he should be released with all respect and dignity," Siddiqui said.