COMMISSIONER Mick Keelty has defended the Australian Federal Police (AFP) against allegations of incompetence following apparent flaws in the prosecution case against Mohamed Haneef.
Mr Keelty late today urged lawyers and the media to stop commenting on the case against the Indian doctor charged with recklessly providing support to a terrorist organisation.
He singled out Melbourne barrister Peter Faris QC, who earlier today said the AFP and Director of Public Prosecutions appeared to have made a “shocking mess-up” in presenting evidence to court.
In Haneef’s bail application on Saturday, Commonwealth prosecutor Clive Porritt alleged the Gold Coast-based doctor had given his mobile phone SIM card to his cousin Sabeel Ahmed when he left the UK last July.
He alleged Sabeel had then passed the card to his brother Kafeel, the driver of the flaming Jeep which crashed into Glasgow Airport on June 30, and that the card had been found in the Jeep’s wreckage.
However, reports from Britain today reveal the SIM card in fact may have been with Sabeel Ahmed in Liverpool at the time of the incident.
Mr Keelty said today any claims regarding prosecution evidence should be dealt with in the courts.
“The court should determine the value of any evidence provided to it, not the media,” he said.
“I’d deny that the AFP’s been incompetent and I think Mr Faris should keep his comments to himself.
“He of all people should know that this is a matter that’s currently before the court and it shouldn’t be commented upon.”
– Herald Sun (Melbourne, July 20, 2007)
