Fed: Transcript doesn't alter Andrews' mind on visa cancellation

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2007
Fed: Transcript doesn't alter Andrews' mind on visa cancellation

CANBERRA, Aug 22 AAP - Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews says the public release of
the second police interview with Mohamed Haneef does not alter the reasons for his decision
to revoke the Indian doctor's visa.

Dr Haneef's lawyer, Peter Russo, today made public a full transcript of the second
interview held with his client after his arrest at Brisbane airport on July 2.

It followed Mr Andrews' selective release of information in the transcript last month,
to justify his decision to cancel Dr Haneef's visa.

The excerpts from the transcript released by Mr Andrews include an internet chat in
which Dr Haneef's brother told the Gold Coast hospital registrar that "nothing has been
found out about you" and urged him to leave the country.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had opposed the full publication of the second
interview transcript, claiming it could compromise investigations.

Mr Andrews said today the information he used in deciding on July 16 to cancel Dr Haneef's
visa was broader than the information garnered from any police interviews with the Indian
national.

"The minister based his decision on a range of information that was more than the first
transcript or the second transcript," a spokeswoman for Mr Andrews said.

The Federal Court in Brisbane yesterday ruled Mr Andrews had applied the wrong test
when revoking Dr Haneef's visa. The government is appealing against the decision.

Mr Andrews' spokeswoman would not criticise Mr Russo for releasing the second transcript,
saying it was a matter for the AFP and Attorney-General Philip Ruddock. Comment had been
sought from both.

Mr Russo said today that on reading the full transcript, it was clear there was no
basis to allege wrongdoing against Dr Haneef, against whom charges of recklessly providing
support to a terrorist organisation were later dropped.

Another of Dr Haneef's lawyers, Stephen Keim, admitted last month to leaking the transcript
of the first police interview with Dr Haneef.

AAP dcr/sb/cp/sp

KEYWORD: HANEEF TRANSCRIPT ANDREWS

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