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BRISBANE, Australia: An Australian court on Tuesday overturned a government decision to cancel the visa of an Indian doctor who was charged over failed car bombings in Britain, Australian media reported.
In a setback for the government, the Federal Court in Brisbane restored Mohamed Haneef's visa, opening the way for him to return to Australia.
Haneef's lawyer Peter Russo said the court ruling had restored his client's life and career, and urged Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews not to appeal the decision.
"I would hope the minister will accept the Court's decision with good grace and clear the way for Dr Haneef to return to Australia to complete his medical work and specialist studies," Russo said.
But Andrews had previously said he was prepared to appeal.
"I don't think today will be the end of the matter," the minister told ABC radio. "It'll probably end up on appeal and who knows even in the high court one day," Andrews told ABC radio.
Haneef, 27, was working at a state hospital on Australia's Gold Coast when he was arrested on July 2 and charged with providing support to a terror group.
When Haneef was granted bail by a court, Andrews revoked his visa and refused to restore it even after the charges against him were dropped.
Haneef, who was detained for more than three weeks, returned to India proclaiming his innocence and his desire to get back his visa and job.
His lawyers argued in court that the doctor should not have failed a "character test" simply because two of his cousins were allegedly involved in the failed attacks in London and Glasgow in June.
The case against Haneef centred on the fact that his mobile phone SIM card was found in the possession of a second cousin who has been implicated in the attacks.
Haneef said he had merely given the card and its unused talk-time to his cousin, Sabeel Ahmed, before moving to Australia a year ago.
Sabeel has been charged with withholding information about terrorism. His brother, Kafeel Ahmed, was the alleged driver of the flaming jeep that crashed into Glasgow Airport and died of burns in hospital. - AFP/ac
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