As appeared on ABC News (Australia)
Bangalore / Brisbane, Jul 24: A relative of Gold Coast doctor Mohamed Haneef has visited him at the Wolston Correctional Centre, west of Brisbane.
Imran Siddiqui says both he and Haneef cried when they saw each other for the first time this afternoon.
The visit lasted for about an hour and Haneef was shown photos of his family which he was allowed to keep.
Mr Siddiqui says he tried to comfort his relative, who is charged with providing resources to a terrorist group.
"I told him that we all know he's innocent," he said.
"I didn't tell that we believe he's innocent, I told him we all know that he's innocent.
"And I told him the family is ... doing whatever we can. I told him that the people of Australia and India are behind him."
AFP hits back
Meanwhile, the federal police union says Queensland Premier Peter Beattie's criticism of the investigations into the Haneef case is irresponsible and prejudicial.
At the weekend, Mr Beattie compared the Australian Federal Police's (AFP) handling of the case to that of the "Keystone Cops".
The Federal Police Association's chief executive, Jim Torr, has called on Mr Beattie to apologise.
"I'd like to see him actually become silent and let the court do its work," he said.
"Peter Beattie is not the court of competent jurisdiction to deal with charges of terrorism or terrorism-related offences.
"I'd prefer he just actually retreated form the dialogue on the matter, let the court, let the police do their work."
The association is calling on Mr Beattie to apologise for his criticism of the investigations.
"An apology would be appropriate but I understand how politics works and I'm not expecting it to happen," Mr Torr said.
"But the Australian Federal Police have been the subject of so many accolades over so many years. That seems to have been thrown out of the window by the Premier."
Senate inquiry
Mr Beattie today said a Senate inquiry should be held into the case to ensure Australia's anti-terrorism laws are being properly applied.
New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma says he backs Mr Beattie's call for the Commonwealth to be more forthcoming about the use of its powers in the Haneef case.
"We all support the anti-terrorism laws," he said.
"Now, an important part of public acceptance and confidence in the laws are the ministers who have those powers being more forthcoming, in particular, the Immigration Minister.
"He ought to be a lot more forthcoming about the powers that he has used on visas.
"I share Mr Beattie's point about those two ministers in particular being more forthcoming to the public."
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