A tired, nevertheless ecstatic Haneef arrived at the gates of his Bangalore residence, last night. A household name by now, Haneef or Dr. Mohammed Haneef NRI, left Brisbane after 25 harrowing days in police custody, accused of ‘recklessly’ supporting a terrorist outfit.
Dressed formally, 27-year-old Haneef, looking calm and unperturbed landed at Bangalore airport at around 2130 hours and was warmly welcomed by his father-in-law Ashwaq Ahmed and his brother.
Not biding his time, Haneef told media persons at his residence that he was "victimized" by Australian authorities and by the drama enacted by the Australian Police.
"I have been victimized by Australian authorities and by a drama by Australian Federal Police", he said.
This is Haneef’s first criticism of Australian authorities since his arrest in Brisbane on July 2, on the charge of recklessly helping a terrorist group, which included his cousins, in connection with the failed car bomb attacks in Britain.
Haneef, in an interview with Australian channel Nine before he left the country, said that the thought of helping terrorism had occurred "nowhere in the remotest corner of his brain".
At home, it was a happy reunion for the young doctor who told reporters that it was an "emotional moment" for him to be united with his family and back home, after going through the "trauma of a victim".
The doctor who began his statements with the words "Glory be to God", thanked his family the Indian government, the Indian High Commissioner to Australia; Prabhat Shukla, lawyer Peter Russo and his legal team as well as his “supporters in India, Australia and throughout the world and the media which supported me in India and worldwide".