Australia drops bomb plot charges

By James Grubel

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australian authorities dropped terrorism charges against an Indian doctor on Friday, 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 should now be deported, but released him from jail while his immigration status is clarified.

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," Bugg told reporters in Canberra.

Haneef, 27, 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 2 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.

Haneef left jail in a blue van with immigration officials on Friday after 25 days in custody, but did not return to his former flat in the Queensland state as his rental lease had expired.

His lawyer, Peter Russo, said Haneef was "quite upbeat and relaxed" and would remain patient while he fought to recover his visa.