Date:17/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/17/stories/2007071757680100.htm

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Treat Haneef fairly: India

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: India has expressed concern to Australia over the cancellation of Mohammed Haneef’s visa and his detention after getting bail. It urged Canberra to treat him “fairly and justly.”

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna said the anxiety was conveyed to the Australian High Commission here. The Government would assist Dr. Haneef’s family in getting legal assistance.

India’s High Commissioner in Canberra reported that Dr. Haneef was in “good health,” after getting consular access to meet the doctor.

However, the Indian envoy in London had not got similar access to meet Sabeel Ahmed, Mr. Sarna said.

Dr. Haneef was charged with “intentionally providing SIM card to a terrorist organisation under the relevant Section of the Australian Criminal Code.”