NEWS

Australian police carries out search

Source:PTI
July 12, 2007 17:33 IST

Australian police on Thursday searched the Queensland health department building in Brisbane as part of an investigation centring around an Indian doctor detained for last ten days in connection with the failed UK terror plot.

An spokesman of the Australian Federal Police said that a warrant was executed in Brisbane, but did not elaborate, a local radio channel said.

27-year-old Mohammed Haneef has been held without being charged since he was detained at the airport on July 2 while on his way to India. Police had, on July 8, searched his residence for possible clues.

A hearing on a plea to extend the detention was adjourned to Friday after Haneef's lawyer reportedly asked the magistrate to stand down, effective giving the Bangalore doctor two more days in custody.

Lawyer Peter Russo refused to confirm, saying, "I shouldn't be trying to influence anything by making statements in the media."

He said he hoped the court will proceed on Friday with a hearing over whether the police can detain Haneef for three more days.

Russo said Haneef has often asked how long he would be detained.

"I told him (Haneef), technically, he is detained indefinitely," he added.

However, investigations into Haneef's background were interrupted with India seeking a formal request and court documents from Australia to cooperate in the probe.

An AFP officer arrived in India at the weekend. The probe is now at a halt until the paperwork is processed, the radio said.

Meanwhile, Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said will be able to resume his life "free of any taint" if he is eventually freed without charge.

Source: PTI
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