Muhamed Haneef

Dr
Muhamed Haneef
Born (1979-09-29) 29 September 1979 (age 45)
India
CitizenshipIndia, UAE
OccupationDoctor of Medicine
Known forAccused of terrorism, and subsequent detention
Criminal charge(s)Terrorism, later acquitted.
SpouseFirdous Arshiya
ParentShami Khaleel (father)

Muhamed Haneef (born 29 September 1979[citation needed]) is an Indian-born doctor who was falsely[1][2][3][4][5][6] accused of aiding terrorists, and left Australia upon cancellation of his visa amid great political controversy. His visa was later reinstated and he was given some compensation.

Haneef was arrested on 2 July 2007 at Brisbane Airport, Brisbane, Australia on suspicion of terror-related activities. He is the second cousin once removed of Kafeel Ahmed and Sabeel Ahmed, the operatives in the 2007 Glasgow Airport attack. Haneef's ensuing detention became the longest without charge in recent Australian history, which caused great controversy in Australia and India.

Haneef was released when the Director of Public Prosecutions withdrew its charge on 27 July 2007,[7][8] whereby his passport was returned and he departed Australia voluntarily on 29 July 2007. Haneef's visa cancellation was overturned by the Federal Court on 21 August 2007, with the decision being reiterated by the full bench of the court on 21 December 2007, resulting in Haneef having his Australian visa returned.[9][10]

In December 2010, Haneef returned to Australia to seek damages for loss of income, interruption of his professional work, and emotional distress. He was awarded compensation from the Australian government. The amount of compensation awarded was not disclosed, but was described by sources as "substantial".[11]

  1. ^ "Haneef returns and he would love to stay". The Australian. 21 November 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Haneef eager to return after big payout". The Australian. 21 December 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  3. ^ Trenwith, Courtney (21 December 2010). "Haneef may re-apply for Gold Coast job". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  4. ^ Trenwith, Courtney (17 December 2010). "Haneef happy to be back in Australia". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  5. ^ Lyell, Kim (22 November 2010). "Haneef heading back to Australia for talks". ABC News. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  6. ^ Narushima, Yuko (30 July 2008). "Please explain: Haneef mystery thickens". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Haneef lawyers appeal detention". BBC News. 18 July 2007.
  8. ^ Kellett, Christine (21 December 2007). "Haneef wins visa back". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
  9. ^ Butler, Nicole (21 December 2007). "Visa returned to Mohamed Haneef". PM. ABC Radio.
  10. ^ "Haneef to get $1m payout from Oz govt for false terror tag". The Times of India. 22 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012.