Indian doctor quizzed in Australia

SINGAPORE: An Indian national, a doctor by profession, was detained at the Brisbane airport on Monday night in connection with the botched “terror plot” in Britain.

In Canberra, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Mohammed Haneef (27) from the Gold Coast Hospital in Brisbane “is being questioned by the police in the normal way” and that “he has not been arrested and no charges had been laid.”

Mr. Howard said the “discussions” between the authorities and the Indian, sponsored by the Queensland Health Department, led to the identification of another person, “who is now assisting the police with their enquiries.”

The Indian had come to Australia under “a 457 visa,” meant for temporary employment as a skilled worker or professional, Mr. Howard said.

The detention followed a tip-off from the British security services.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the doctor was regarded “a model citizen” with “excellent references.”

Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said no explosives were recovered from the person or at his premises.

Officials said he was not on any terror watch-list.

Independent observers and Australian media, quoting police and the Gold Coast Hospital, said the doctor was nabbed as he was about to take a flight. He was said to have been recruited from Liverpool.