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Neocon Nuttery See other Neocon Nuttery Articles Title: Terror suspect in tears over show of support in Australia: lawyer An Indian doctor held on terrorism charges in Australia burst into tears after being told there was widespread concern about his treatment by authorities, the man’s lawyer told a protest rally Thursday. Mohammed Haneef’s solicitor Peter Russo told a rally in Brisbane that the 27-year-old had been deeply touched when he was told in jail that lawyers and ordinary people were voicing their support for him. “Some of what’s occurring today may come as a little bit of a shock to him,” Russo told the gathering of about 40 people. “He was moved to tears when I told him about it because I think for him, he hasn’t understood the impact that it’s had on the rest of the community and I don’t think he regards himself as being such an important person.” Haneef was arrested on July 2 and held for almost two weeks before being charged with providing support to a terrorist organisation allegedly behind the three failed bombings in London and Glasgow last month A magistrate granted him bail on Monday after finding there was no evidence that Haneef, who has been working on Queensland’s Gold Coast since last September, had any direct link to the bomb plot. The government then stepped in and revoked his immigration visa, ensuring he would stay in custody but sparking condemnation for civil rights and law groups, who said it undermined the principle of innocent until proven guilty. The government has since said that Haneef will be deported from Australia, even if he is found not guilty. The charge against Haneef alleges that he provided “reckless” support to a terrorism group by giving his mobile phone SIM card to a cousin in Britain who was later arrested in connection with the failed attacks in Britain. Haneef’s family has said he gave away the card when leaving Britain for Australia last year so that his cousin could make use of the remaining talk-time. The protesters in Brisbane ridiculed the charge, waving their mobile phones and challenging the government to arrest them for brandishing “offensive weapons”. Others carried signs saying “Reckless with a SIM? Arrest Shane Warne!” in reference to the famous Australian cricketer’s text sex scandal a few years ago. A second group of about 20 people protested in central Melbourne. “We want to show there is public opposition to the way that the federal government is using this as a bit of a political tool,” spokeswoman Lisa Farrance said. The Australian media has also expressed disquiet at Haneef’s treatment. The Australian newspaper, which on Wednesday published a leaked police interview in which Haneef described himself as a moderate Muslim and denied any knowledge of a bomb plot, led its opinion section Thursday with a piece headlined “Guilty until proven innocent”. “Political interference and over-zealous use of anti-terrorism laws has led to bungled prosecutions,” the article said.
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