Australian authorities finally dropped all charges against Dr. Mohammed Haneef, who stood accused of being part of the terror plot to blow up parts of London and Glasgow airport. In a series of gaffes and false statements, Dr. Haneef was remanded in prison without rights since July 2, but was released due to lack of evidence.
Even more shocking were were the Australian government and authorities’ lack of sympathy and refusal to apologise to Dr. Haneef. Add to that, that Dr. Haneef is losing his Australian visa and that the revocation will stand.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/27/europe/terror.php
In what I can only describe as a series of Inspector Clouseau finesse, melted SIM cards had mysteriously appeared elsewhere and police statements were changed. It struck me as draconian that up till now the Australian government and authorities stand firm on what could be viewed as “a terrorist getting away with it” than an innocent man wrongfully charged.
Looking back at Australia’s anti-terror efforts post-9/11, it wouldn’t be a far stretch to say that Australia is trying very hard to have its London bust or big anti-terrorism break, to supposedly justify its anti-terror overspending. Indeed looking at its past record of wrong convictions and thrown out charges, Australia is trying too hard.
Or is it more of different strokes for different folks? When they are bearded muslim men, they are accorded no justice compared to others? To wit, David Hicks, who was arrested and convicted of terrorism charges by the US. However, pending his trial and subsequent conviction, Australia kicked up a fuss and even jumped through hoops to get Hicks cleared of charges and failing that to be out of Guantanamo Bay and into an Australian prison. Since John Howard’s refusal to denounce Pauline Hanson’s racist platform, Howard’s government has officially joined the ranks of George W Bush in the club of the criminally stupid.
When Australia interferes with our local politics, civil rights frothing from the braying mouths, against our own convictions against convicted criminals, one wonders why would anyone bother to listen to them. Indeed why should we?
