Haneef's Lawyer Cleared Over Leak
The Age
Saturday February 2, 2008
THE lawyer for former terror suspect Mohamed Haneef has escaped punishment for leaking a transcript of his client's police interview to the media.
Barrister Stephen Keim attracted praise from the legal fraternity but harsh criticism from the Howard government and the Australian Federal Police for releasing the 142-page transcript to The Australian in July. The document was released just days after Dr Haneef, who was working at the Gold Coast Hospital, was charged with supporting a terrorist organisation. Within a fortnight of its publication the charge was dropped, amid intense media scrutiny. In the interview, Dr Haneef rejected several of the claims relied on by prosecutors, including that he lived with British terror suspects Sabeel and Kafeel Ahmed. Mr Keim's unorthodox decision to release the transcript drew the ire of AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty who complained to the Legal Services Commission of Queensland. A second complaint was later lodged by Brisbane solicitor, and former National Party candidate, Russell Biddle. But the commission's John Britton yesterday said that Mr Keim had been cleared of professional misconduct despite being found to have breached rule 60 of the Barristers Rule 2007 that prohibits the release of documents before trial. A relieved Mr Keim admitted to feeling "jumpy" as the decision drew near, but played down the ordeal. "The only people who have really suffered an ordeal is Dr Haneef and his family," he said. The Federal Court late last year reinstated Dr Haneef's work visa - which had been cancelled by the Howard government - but he remains apprehensive about what might happen if he returns from India.
© 2008 The Age
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