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Vol. 71/No. 31      September 3, 2007

 
'Terrorism' frame-up by Australia gov't fails
(front page)
 
BY LINDA HARRIS  
SYDNEY, Australia—The attempted frame-up of Mohamed Haneef, an Indian-born doctor, on “terrorism” charges by Australian authorities has rapidly fallen apart. Haneef, who worked as a registrar at Gold Coast Hospital in south Queensland, was detained July 2 over supposed links to attempted bombings in the United Kingdom.

Twelve days after his arrest in Brisbane, Haneef was charged with “providing reckless support to a terrorist organization.” The prosecutor claimed Haneef's cell phone card was found in the burning vehicle used in the failed June 30 airport bombing in Glasgow, Scotland. He asserted that Haneef had lived in England with a second cousin, one of the men in the vehicle.

Both these claims quickly collapsed. As facts contradicting police and government assertions emerged, the magistrate granted Haneef bail. To prevent his release the government then revoked Haneef's visa and ordered his transfer to immigration detention.

Opposition Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd repeatedly endorsed the government’s handling of the Haneef case.

Nonetheless, public outrage grew as the truth emerged in the media. Civil libertarians and prominent lawyers spoke out against the government’s actions under the “antiterrorism” laws. Some 400 people attended a rally July 29 here to oppose these laws and demand justice for Haneef.

Charges against Haneef were dropped July 27 for lack of evidence. He was released, but his work visa was not reissued. He left for India, but continues to fight to get his Australian work visa back.

Federal police held Haneef for 12 days for questioning before charging him. This was the first time the new Anti-Terrorism Act has been used to justify prolonged interrogation without charges. The law was amended in 2005 to allow police to detain “terror” suspects for up to 14 days without charge.

The government is now preparing a massive police and military operation in Sydney for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to be held here September 2-9. Government leaders from each of the 21 member states, including U.S. president George Bush, will attend the meeting.

A protest against Bush and Howard is set for September 8. Government officials say police will have powers to search people and cars and set up roadblocks and barricades. Authorities have said a concrete fence will be built across the central business district, closing off certain areas of the city. Half the city railway stations will be shut down. Army and police planes and helicopters will fly over the city, naval vessels will patrol the harbor, and more than 4,000 soldiers, police, and security guards will be deployed.
 
 
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