By IANS
Bangalore : Indian doctor Muhammad Haneef Monday declared he would like to return to Australia and would "fight" to get back his work visa that was cancelled by the Australian government during its bungled terror investigation against him.
"I would like to return to Australia and I want my visa back. I will fight for that. I am saddened by the fact that until my work visa is restored, I will not be able to return and work as a doctor there," Haneef told reporters at his maiden press conference, a day after he returned to India from Brisbane late Sunday.
In a brief statement, Haneef said his family had suffered a great deal as a result of his 25-day incarceration in Australia. He said his ordeal started July 2 because he simply wanted to return home to be with his wife Firdaus and newborn daughter Hania.
"I have returned to India to be with my family in this hour of crisis. I will appreciate if we are allowed to get on with our normal life. Please clear the atmosphere so that we could get along with our daily life," Haneef told the media, flanked by his father-in-law Ashfaq Ahmed, cousin Imran Siddiqui who had flown to Australia to help him, his Australian lawyer Peter Russo and other relatives.
When told that the Australian authorities had said they were not going to apologise to him, Haneef said though he did not expect an apology from Australian Prime Minister John Howard or his government, he would appreciate if they apologised to his peace-loving country (India) and its citizens.
Acclaiming that Islam teaches peace and love and nothing else, Haneef said he was a true follower of his religion.
"I do not want anybody to be victimised in the name of terrorism as I have been. Though not a victim of international conspiracy, I think I have definitely been a victim of Australian conspiracy," Haneef pointed out.
Asked whether he would sue the Australian government and claim damages for what he was forced to go through, including revocation of his work visa, he said he did not seek any legal advice on it so far and would not at this point of time.
"We haven't applied our mind on that, as we have been busy with other issues relating to Haneef's return to India. Suing the Australian government is not on the radar now. Maybe, we will look into the matter later," Russo said.
Admitting Haneef was a victim of the Australian judicial system, Russo said in many countries, detention for over 12 days without being charged would have been regarded as a major issue.
"In Australia, we have a system that it shouldn't happen. Haneef has been victimised for no fault of his. He went to Australia and was contributing to Australian society by working at a very busy hospital in Queensland.
"But the Australian Federal Police (AFP) had emptied every item of his personal belonging. He did not have anything or any way to go back and live. If this is not victimisation, then what else is? He felt like a victim," Russo recalled.
Thanking the Indian government, the people and the media in India and Australia for supporting him, Haneef expressed special gratitude to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, his deputy E. Ahamed, Indian high commissioner in Australia Prabhat Shukla and officials in Australia, especially the Queensland premier, for bailing him out of the crisis.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Howard said in Sydney Monday that when dealing with terrorism it is better to be safe than sorry, and his country will not say "sorry" to Haneef for the collapsed case.
"Australia will not be apologising to Dr. Haneef," Howard told reporters, adding: "He was not victimised."
Haneef was charged with supporting a terrorist organisation by "recklessly" giving his mobile phone SIM card to people planning the Britain bomb attacks.
His cousin Sabeel Ahmed is under detention in Britain over the foiled terror attacks.