Indian Govt. happy over Haneefs acquittal in Australia

Indian Government has expressed its happiness over dropping of terrorism charges against Indian born doctor Mohamed Haneef.

New Delhi/Bangalore, July 28 : Indian Government has expressed its happiness over dropping of terrorism charges against Indian born doctor Mohamed Haneef.

"The Government of India is pleased that Dr. Mohammad Haneef has been released from the Correction Centre in Brisbane and the charges against him have been dropped by the Australian Federal Police (AFP)," said Navtej Sarna, Foreign Ministry's spokesperson.

Sarna further said that it is a matter of satisfaction that justice has been done in this unfortunate case, which had been closely followed among members of the public and media in both the countries.

Sarna also said that India hoped Dr. Haneef could return home as per his wish.

"It is the sincere hope of the Government of India that Dr. Haneef will be able to depart Australia of his own accord in the near future," he said.

The Australian Government said it would seek further legal advice on whether Dr. Mohamed Haneef should now be deported, but released him from jail while his immigration status is clarified.

Dr. Haneef left jail on Friday after 25 days in custody.In Bangalore, Haneef's wife, Firdaus Arshiya, welcomed the decision to release her husband.

"I thank the family, thank the Indian Government, the Ministry of External Affairs and all the Australian public who supported my husband there," she said.

"I am extremely happy that he is released now. From the beginning, we knew that he is innocent and today the entire world has accepted it. His mother is very happy," she added.

Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the case would not harm Australia-India relations.

Haneef, 27, was charged with providing support to a terrorist organisation by giving his SIM card to a relative later accused of being linked to a failed plot to bomb central London and Glasgow Airport.

ANI