Haneef not angry as he seeks compensation

17 Dec 2010, 3:33 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef says he's not angry over his wrongful detention on terrorism allegations as he seeks "significant" compensation.

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Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef says he's not angry about his wrongful imprisonment on terrorism allegations as he seeks "significant" compensation from the Australian government.

Dr Haneef, on his return to Australia with his wife and three-year-old daughter to hold compensation talks with the commonwealth next week, said on Friday he harboured no ill-feelings over his "traumatic experience".

The compensation claim, described by his lawyers as unique in Australian legal history, stems from his wrongful detention by Australian Federal Police (AFP) in July 2007.

Dr Haneef was held in custody for 12 days before being charged with recklessly giving support to a terrorist organisation when his mobile phone SIM card was linked to a terrorist attack in the UK.

The charges were later dropped as prosecutors admitted bungling the case and the independent Clarke inquiry cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Dr Haneef was working at the Gold Coast Hospital when he was arrested, and he now practises in the United Arab Emirates.

He is seeking damages for lost earnings, the interruption to his medical career, damage to his reputation and emotional stress.

At a media conference with his wife and daughter, he glossed over questions about his poor treatment by Australian authorities, insisting he still thought Australia was a good place to live and work.

He described his wrongful arrest and detention as a "traumatic experience" for him and his whole family.

But, asked if he was angry, he replied: "At the moment, no, I'm happy".

"Coming back to Australia represents a very important step for me and for my family... and I'm hopeful that the upcoming mediation will be an opportunity to resolve this matter and give my family and me a chance to move forward," he said.

He would wait for the outcome before deciding whether to re-apply for work with Queensland Health, he said.

"I like the place, I like working over there in the Gold Coast," Dr Haneef, who will visit with friends on the coast during his 10-day stay, said.

"... We'll see how the mediation process goes and discuss this with my family."

Dr Haneef said his career progression had been delayed by his arrest, but he had experienced few negative reactions from people.

"I've been grateful to the many people who come up to me and speak to me ... and show their sympathy to me," he said.

His lawyer, Maurice Blackburn partner Rod Hodgson, would not reveal the amount of the compensation sought.

But he said it was "significant" and reflected the "terrible injustice" done to Dr Haneef.

Asked to compare the doctor's case with that of Cornelia Rau, who received $2.6 million after her wrongful detention in an Australian immigration facility, Mr Hodgson said the matters were too different.

"This case is unique in Australian legal history," he told the media conference.

"And therefore in figures ... there's no ... tariff, for this type of case."

He said Dr Haneef was not interested in looking backwards.

"Dr Haneef is looking forward to the process of repairing what has occurred rather than raking over, in any detail, coals that have been raked over by the Clarke inquiry," he said Mr Hodgson said the case had "stained" Australia's reputation as a fair place to live and work, and he hoped that could be repaired somewhat by the mediation process.

The mediation on Monday and Tuesday will be chaired by former judge Tony Fitzgerald, QC.

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