By Neena Bhandari
Sydney : Indian doctor Muhammad Haneef has been allowed to leave Australia, but his 457 work visa will not be reinstated, the government said Saturday, a day after it dropped terrorism charges against him.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Kevin Andrews made the announcement in Melbourne. Haneef, 27, can fly home as early as Saturday following the decision.
After he was released Friday from his 25-day incarceration, Haneef has been pining to go home to his family in Bangalore, his lawyer Peter Russo said.
On Friday, the Australian government absolved Haneef of charges of supporting terrorism, amid rising demands that those behind the tragedy of errors must quit and that the Indian doctor be sent home honourably.
Andrews, who had cancelled Haneef’s visa hours after he was granted bail by a Brisbane magistrate July 16, said the visa remained cancelled.
Haneef was released from a Brisbane jail into residential detention Friday night.
According to Australian Associated Press, the immigration minister said Haneef’s lawyers had contacted his department asking if the doctor could leave Australia as soon as possible.
Andrews told newspersons in Melbourne: “After taking advice, including from the Australian Federal Police, I have indicated that the Commonwealth has no objection to Haneef leaving Australia. Indeed the effect of the visa cancellation is that he should remove himself, he should depart Australia in any event.”
Haneef’s Indian passport will be returned to him, but the Australian work visa remains cancelled.
He was arrested July 2 in connection with the failed British terror bombings.