Australia is good place to live, says Haneef
December 18th, 2010 - 1:42 pm ICT by IANSMelbourne, Dec 18 (IANS) Mohamed Haneef, an Indian doctor who was falsely accused by Australian police of aiding terrorists, has said he still thinks Australia is a good place to live and work.Haneef, who is back in Australia with his wife and three-year-old daughter for mediation talks for his hefty compensation claims against the Australian government next week, said Friday he harboured no ill-feelings over his “traumatic experience”, Australian news agency AAP reported.
At a news conference, he glossed over questions about his poor treatment by Australian authorities, insisting he still thought Australia was a good place to live.
Haneef, who now practises in the United Arab Emirates, was working at the Gold Coast Hospital, Queensland when he was arrested by Australian Federal Police (AFP) in July 2007.
When asked if he was angry, he replied: “At the moment, no, I’m happy.”
“Coming back to Australia represents a very important step for me and for my family… and I’m hopeful that the upcoming mediation will be an opportunity to resolve this matter and give my family and me a chance to move forward,” he said.
He said he would wait for the outcome before deciding whether to re-apply for work with Queensland Health.
“I like the place, I like working over there in the Gold Coast,” Haneef, who will visit friends on the coast during his 10-day stay, said.
Haneef has sought “significant” compensation from the Australian government over his wrongful imprisonment on terrorism allegations.
He was held in custody for 12 days before being charged with recklessly giving support to a terrorist organisation when his mobile phone SIM card was linked to a terrorist attack in Britain.
The charges were later dropped as prosecutors admitted bungling the case and the independent Clarke inquiry cleared him of any wrongdoing.
He is seeking damages for lost earnings, the interruption to his medical career, damage to his reputation and emotional stress.
His lawyer, Rod Hodgson, would not reveal the amount of the compensation sought. But he said it was “significant” and reflected the “terrible injustice” done to Haneef.
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- Haneef to get 'substantial' compensation from Australia - Dec 21, 2010
- Australia apologises to Indian-origin doctor - Dec 23, 2010
- Indian-origin Dr. Mohamed Haneef eyeing huge payout from Oz govt. over 2007 ordeal - Dec 18, 2010
- Dr. Haneef says 'traumatic' wrongful arrest in Oz marred his 'family-career' reputation - Dec 17, 2010
- Dr Haneef's lawyer Rod Hodgson receives justice award in Australia - Feb 18, 2011
- Haneef's lawyer silent on '$1m Oz Govt compensation' Indian media report claim - Dec 22, 2010
- Indian-origin Dr. Mohamed Haneef returning back to Australia for compensation talks - Nov 22, 2010
- Oz Govt. issues formal apology to Indian-origin Dr. Haneef over wrongful arrest - Dec 23, 2010
- Haneef sues former Australian minister - Jul 01, 2010
- 'Haneef's plight underlines need for public scrutiny of terror laws' - Sep 22, 2008
- Oz Police knew they lacked evidence before Dr Haneef was charged for terror - Oct 16, 2008
- Haneef seeks compensation, apology from Oz Govt. - Aug 29, 2008
- Aussie Police had found jihadist materials in Dr Haneefs flat after arrest - Oct 23, 2008
- Australian police drop terror probe against Haneef - Aug 29, 2008
Tags: australian authorities, australian federal police, australian government, australian news, australian police, compensation claims, emotional stress, gold coast hospital, haneef, ill feelings, indian doctor, mediation talks, medical career, queensland health, sim card, terrorist organisation, traumatic experience, united arab emirates, wrongdoing, wrongful imprisonment