Will he or will he not get bail? This was the question in the minds of family members of Dr Mohammed Haneef in Bangalore and his lawyer in Brisbane, Australia, fretted about all through Sunday, a day before the Brisbane Magistrate’s Court takes up the bail application.
Firdaus Arshiya, Haneef’s wife, kept praying for her husband, while the lawyer Peter Russo worked overtime to prepare for the bail plea.
“I am hopeful of his (Haneef) getting bail. It’s a difficult battle and I am working overtime for this purpose,” Mr Russo told Deccan Herald over phone from Brisbane. Dr Haneef, who has been held under the federal counter-terrorism powers since he was arrested, while trying to leave Brisbane international airport for India on a one-way ticket on July 2, has been charged with supporting terrorism “recklessly”  by providing his mobile phone SIM card to terrorist suspects Sabeel and Kafeel Ahmed, his second cousins, when he left the UK for Australia last year.
Charge
He has been charged under the Anti-terrorism Act  of 2005. Now, his lawyer has moved the bail application,which will come up for hearing at 9.30 am on Monday. Mr Russo, however, added: “Those charged with terrorism offences can only be granted bail in exceptional circumstances.
This is because of the tough terrorism legislation and Monday morning (when bail hearing will be taken up) is going to be a critial  time for this whole affair”.
The solicitor said his client was being treated unfairly. “It is wrong for Dr Haneef to be treated in the same way as those who carried out terrorist acts,” he added. According to Mr Russo, Dr Haneef will not be able to leave Australia even if  he is granted bail. He explained, “he has to stay within the country.
Advantage
The advantage is that we can bargain for some concessions like meeting with the family members, better treatment and others. If the bail is denied, then he may be taken into custody and shifted to Brisbane jail.
“The court can either order for a trial immediately or appoint a committee to decide as to when can it be done.”
On the UK police’s request for Dr Haneef’s extradition, he wondered why London was interested in his extraditon.
“I do not understand why Dr Haneef should be extradited when Australia is yet to complete its investigation,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the family members of Dr Haneef at BTM layout in the city had shut the doors for the outside world. “We do not want to comment on anything. The entire family, including Firdaus, is praying for him”, a family member said.
TERROR TRAIL
Haneef’s bail hearing at 9.30 IST on Monday
Lawyer hopeful of getting bail
Bail for terrorism offences only in exceptional circumstances
Haneef’s wife prays for bail