Peter Russo, Dr Mohammed Haneef’s lawyer in Brisbane, criticised the Australian Government for revoking his client’s visa.

He termed the Government’s decision as “unfair” and “unjustified”, in a telephonic interview with P M Raghunandan of Deccan Herald from Brisbane.

Excerpts of the interview:
DH: Do you think the Australian Government has undermined the court decision to grant him a bail?
Russo: It appears so.

DH:  What is the next move?
Russo: We will appeal against the visa revoke. But we have not decided whether to appeal before the Immigration department or the Federal Court. I will take the decision on this after consulting the legal team...The decision will be taken latest by Tuesday...We are trying to help him and we will do all that we can.

DH: What the Australian Act says about revoking work visa?
Russo:  Section 501 of the Migration Act provides for the cancellation of the visa where a person fails the character test. But in my client’s case, the Brisbane Magistrate court has also acknowledged his good employment record, his lack of a criminal history.

DH:  For how many days he will be under visa detention?
Russo: It can be between 12 months to 18 months. But the police cannot question him during this period.

DH: Did you anticipate the government’s plans to revoke visa?
Russo: No. I was taken by surprise. I had no inkling of it. I was not informed at all. No one bothered to tell us anything but that’s what they’ve been doing all along.

DH: How did Dr Haneef reacted when informed about visa revoke?
Russo: My client had remained calm when told about the new development. He is very respectful. He listened to what I said. I probably reacted worse than he did.

DH: Can his family contact him?
Russo: No, they cannot.

DH: What are the options before Dr Haneef now?
Russo: To be honest, very little. The important thing is getting back the visa. Only after that we can think of other options.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CERTIFICATE

AFP trying to keep Haneef in Australia

Bangalore, DHNS:  Soon after the Australian Government revoked Dr Mohammed Haneef’s visa, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Monday decided to apply for a Criminal Justice Certificate for Haneef before the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), to enable him to remain in the country.
“The AFP is currently making an application for a criminal justice certificate which will enable the man (Dr Haneef)  remain in Australia,” a AFP spokesperson in Sydney told Deccan Herald.
 Criminal Justice Certificate is an instrument issued by the Australian Attorney-General as a defendant, informant, witness, or other associated role.