By Neena Bhandari, IANS
Sydney : The smile returned to the face of Indian doctor Muhammad Haneef as he entered Brisbane airport Saturday evening to catch a flight home after a 25-day incarceration, as the Australian government dropped terrorism charges against him though it refused to reinstate his 457 work visa.
Haneef, 27, who was in custody since July 2 in connection with the botched British terror plot last month, was boarding the 11.55 p.m. Thai Airways flight home following Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Kevin Andrews' decision to allow him to leave Australia.
With a big smile on his face, Haneef gave thumbs up to the media, which along with the Australian people had played a crucial role in his flight to freedom, as he was ushered into Brisbane international airport by immigration officials.
According to his lawyer, Peter Russo, immigration authorities made it a condition of facilitating his return to India that he did not speak to the media.
His lawyer said Haneef was happy with the outcome, but would fight to have his visa reinstated.