Fed: Haneef says treatment left family in "darkness"

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2008
Fed: Haneef says treatment left family in "darkness"

SYDNEY, Aug 30 AAP - Former terrorism suspect Mohamed Haneef says his arrest and imprisonment
left his family in "darkness", but he plans to return to Australia.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) dropped its case against Dr Haneef, who now wants
compensation from the federal government and an apology.

Dr Haneef said the AFP had taken too long to clear his name.

"It has left the whole family in darkness, this episode. Just because of some, I don't
know, some foolish mistakes from some person," Dr Haneef told The Weekend Australian from
a town outside Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where he now lives with his wife and
daughter.

He said he was sceptical that the AFP had been seriously investigating him since dropping
the charge against him in July last year, saying he had not been contacted by the AFP
since leaving Australia after his release.

The investigation had "shattered" his family, he said.

But he said he planned to return to Australia despite the experience.

"I have always had a plan to come back to Australia and I still believe I have this option open.

"It's just a matter of convincing my family. It is very hard. It's my wife and my mother
and my mother-in-law."

Dr Haneef's lawyer has said Dr Haneef will be seeking compensation for his ordeal and
a formal apology from the AFP.

AAP krc/ao

KEYWORD: HANEEF RESPONSE

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