Australian authorities dropped terrorism charges against an Indian doctor today after saying there was little chance of a conviction over his connection with a failed car bomb plot in Britain.
The Australian government said it would seek further legal advice on whether Dr Mohamed Haneef (27) should now be deported but released him from jail while his immigration status is clarified.
Australia's chief prosecutor, Damian Bugg
Australia's chief prosecutor, Damian Bugg, decided to drop the charges after weeks of damaging media leaks and growing public criticism about the lack of strong evidence against the doctor.
"On my view of this matter, a mistake has been made," Mr Bugg said.
Dr Haneef had been charged with recklessly supporting terrorism by providing a relative in Britain with his mobile phone Sim card.
He was detained by Australian police on July 2nd as he was about to leave Australia for India and was questioned over his links to those suspected of planning a June car bomb plot in Britain.
Dr Haneef left jail today after 25 days in custody, and his lawyer said he was "quite upbeat and relaxed" and would remain patient while he fought to recover his visa.
Police in Britain have charged three people over the car bomb attacks, including Dr Haneef's second cousin, Sabeel Ahmed, who is accused of failing to disclose information that could have prevented an attack.
Another of Dr Haneef's second cousins, Kafeel Ahmed, remains in hospital after being badly burned when a jeep was driven into an airport terminal in Glasgow and set ablaze.
Dr Haneef said he left his mobile phone Sim card with his cousin in Liverpool in mid-2006, when Dr Haneef left Britain to work in Australia.
Prosecutors told an Australian court that Dr Haneef's Sim card was found in the burning jeep in Glasgow, although prosecutors today agreed the card was found with Mr Sabeel, as Dr Haneef had told them.