In the face of reported inconsistencies in the police probe against Mohammed Haneef, Australia's prosecution chief today announced he would review available material relating to the case involving the Indian doctor, accused of recklessly supporting a terror group.
Though Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Buggs referred to matters, which have developed as the case has progressed, he did not spell out which aspects he is pointing to in connection with the failed car bombings in Britain.
"Clearly not every matter which is prosecuted by my office is reviewed by me... but there are matters which have developed as this case has progressed which I am examining and a broader review of the available material and the proceedings to date is the best way to examine these matters appropriately," he said in a statement.
The DPP review follows concerns about inconsistencies in the case against Haneef, who was arrested on July 2 and is alleged to have given a mobile phone SIM card to his cousin brother later suspected to be involved in the failed bomb plot in central London and Glasgow Airport.
It was reported last week that, contrary to evidence presented to the Brisbane Magistrates Court by prosecutors, Haneef's SIM card was not found in the burning jeep that crashed into a terminal at Glasgow Airport.
Buggs said he would make a statement once the review was completed.
On the DPP's decision, Haneef's lawyer Peter Russo said it was too early to tell what the review means and voiced confidence that he would be informed of the outcome quickly.
Russo was also quoted by TV channels as saying that it was unlikely that Haneef would stay in Australia even if discharged and his visa restored.
Maintaining that the review will not necessarily probe claims about inconsistencies in Haneef's case, Russo said it must consider whether he should be released.
"I don't know how long or how much material the director has to sift through, but I just don't want to count my chickens before they hatch," Russo said.
"I think there's a more serious consideration here and that is the fact that my client is still in custody and if that can be resolved sooner rather than later, it has to be in everyone's interest, including my client's," he said.
Meanwhile, the Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has reported that the British authorities may not seek extradition of the Indian doctor, who is currently lodged in solitary confinement in a prison where terror case suspects are kept.
Noting that at the moment there was no request for extradition, ABC said that the likelihood is that the British authorities will leave Haneef to the Australian legal system unless major evidence turns up either in the UK or Australia.
In a related development, Haneef's relative Imran Siqqiqui, who is here to assist him in the legal proceedings and has had an audience with him in the prison, is expected to meet Indian High Commissioner P P Shukla, his lawyers said.
With the case under close media scrutiny, a war of words has broken out between Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, who has been critical of the police probe, and opposition Labour party leader Kevin Rudd.
Rudd has flayed Beattie for his remarks against the Australian Federal Police questioning its professionalism.
Vowing that he would not back down, Beattie said "I'm not going to be silenced... by Kevin Rudd", The Australian newspaper reported.
