Haneef's lawyer seeks more powers for inquiry probing his case
The defence team of Indian doctor Mohammad Haneef, who was wrongly accused of terror charges in Australia, has sought more powers for the inquiry probing the failed case against him.
By PTI |
MELBOURNE: The defence team of Indian doctor Mohammad Haneef, who was wrongly accused of terror charges in Australia, has sought more powers for the inquiry probing the failed case against him, after its head said much of the evidence presented to him cannot be made public.
Haneef's lawyer Rod Hodgson said the Kevin Rudd Government had promised a full judicial inquiry, but the one being conducted was not transparent.
"Whatever this inquiry is, it is not judicial and it is not open," he was quoted as saying in the 'Herald Sun'.
"It is a very convenient result for the Australian agencies, especially the AFP (Australian Federal Police) and DIAC, (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) in that they cannot be made accountable to the Australian public because of an alleged fear of offending a foreign government," he said.
Former NSW Supreme Court judge John Clarke, who is heading the government-ordered inquiry into the case had said yesterday that much of the "sensitive" evidence before him cannot be made public as it could harm diplomatic ties with the UK.
Hodgson also said that the credibility of the country's Attorney-General Robert McClelland could come under a cloud if he choses to be mute spectator.
Haneef's lawyer Rod Hodgson said the Kevin Rudd Government had promised a full judicial inquiry, but the one being conducted was not transparent.
"Whatever this inquiry is, it is not judicial and it is not open," he was quoted as saying in the 'Herald Sun'.
"It is a very convenient result for the Australian agencies, especially the AFP (Australian Federal Police) and DIAC, (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) in that they cannot be made accountable to the Australian public because of an alleged fear of offending a foreign government," he said.
Former NSW Supreme Court judge John Clarke, who is heading the government-ordered inquiry into the case had said yesterday that much of the "sensitive" evidence before him cannot be made public as it could harm diplomatic ties with the UK.
Hodgson also said that the credibility of the country's Attorney-General Robert McClelland could come under a cloud if he choses to be mute spectator.
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"If McClelland sits by and allows what was to be a full judicial inquiry become a disempowered and fully secret inquiry, his credibility as an attorney-general who can stand up for the rule of law will be severely damaged," Haneef's lawyer said. Download
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