It was the crime that rocked Scotland.
A Jeep Cherokee loaded with gasoline and petrol ploughed into Glasgow Airport killing one of many drivers and injuring 5 civilians because the constructing burst into flames.
The suicide bombing on June 30, 2007 was the nation’s first, and solely, focused terrorist assault – leaving many shocked amid the long-standing perception it was resistant to terrorism.
Police arrested the 2 occupants of the automobile, Iraqi-born physician Bilal Abdulla and Kafeel Ahmed.
Ahmed later died in hospital after struggling burns to 90 per cent of his physique.
However it was what occurred subsequent on the other aspect of the globe that might spark considered one of Australia’s most controversial human rights instances and seize the world’s consideration.
Dr Mohamed Haneef (pictured) was falsely accused of terrorism in a human rights case that gripped the world
Days later, Gold-Coast primarily based physician and Indian nationwide Dr Mohamed Haneef was arrested for suspected terrorism and detained whereas travelling to Brisbane to see his spouse and new child daughter.
Australian Federal Police took the 27-year-old into custody as he touched down on the airport on July 2, whereas officers raided his unit in Southport and British investigators had been flown in to work on the case.
‘We’re alleging that Dr Haneef was related to a terrorist group,’ AFP commissioner Mick Keelty declared on the time.
Claims started to swirl that Mr Haneef was related to banned terror teams and was concerned in plans to explode Gold Coast excessive rises, with one report alleging his previously-owned sim card was linked to the Glasgow assault, the Gold Coast Bulletin reviews.
Dr Haneef was held with out cost for days and handled as a terror suspect, being stored in 23-hour isolation per day.
Whereas police struggled to search out any proof linking him to the bombing, the courtroom repeatedly granted officers’ requests to maintain him in custody to bide themselves time.
‘The extension will enable for the evaluation of fabric obtained in the midst of the investigation by joint counter-terrorism groups,’ an AFP spokesman advised Reuters on the time.
‘[It] may even enable for inquiries and evaluation of fabric to be carried out in abroad.’
Throughout his time in custody, Dr Haneef was not allowed to talk to his spouse and was subjected to hours-long classes of police gruelling – regardless of not being charged.
Two terrorists drove an explosive-filled automobile into Glasgow Airport on June 30, 2007, in a criminal offense that shocked the world
Though police powers on the time solely allowed them to query a suspect for twenty-four hours, officers had been capable of bypass the rule through a loophole.
Utilizing courtroom extensions, detectives might maintain folks in custody as long as they didn’t exceed 24 hours of questioning in whole over the period of the particular person’s arrest.
Dr Haneef remained locked up for 2 weeks earlier than his legal professionals Peter Russo and QC Stephen Keim had been capable of cease police extensions to maintain him in custody with out being questioned.
‘My poor shopper is sitting there ready, questioning what the hell is occurring,’ Mr Russo mentioned on the time.
However the federal authorities, then led by John Howard, swooped in, with Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews cancelling Dr Haneef’s visa on ‘character grounds’ – which prevented him from being launched.
The transfer sparked outrage and was dubbed a political transfer by critics as the federal government, aiming to look robust on terror, trailed behind Labor Chief Kevin Rudd within the polls.
Dr Haneef remained locked up for 2 weeks earlier than his legal professionals Peter Russo (pictured) and QC Stephen Keim had been capable of cease police from gaining additional courtroom extensions
The Commonwealth’s case in opposition to Dr Haneef ultimately collapsed and all prices had been dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who admitted there was ‘no cheap prospect of a conviction’.
Dr Haneef was deported and left Australia on the finish of July 2007, and continues to stay abroad.
The next yr an inquiry was launched to analyze Dr Haneef’s case, which ultimately cleared his identify and led to a variety of legislative and procedural adjustments being advisable to the federal government.
Dr Haneef acquired a money settlement from the federal government and briefly returned to Australia in 2010.
The credibility of John Howard authorities was tarnished amid the scandal and it subsequently misplaced the 2007 election to Labor.
The Glasgow assault was linked to 2 non-fatal automobile bombings in London carried out on June 29, 2007.
The automobiles full of explosives had been found parked close to night time golf equipment however had been found earlier than they could possibly be detonated.
The bomb plot was related to Ahmed and Abdulla, who then proceeded with the airport assault after their preliminary London plans had been foiled.
Abdulla was later discovered responsible of conspiracy to commit homicide in relation to each incidents and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a non-parole interval of 32 years.
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