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Friday, 13 July 2007, 08:22 GMT 09:22 UK

'Bomb' police drop extension bid

Mohammed Haneef at university Police in Australia have withdrawn an application to extend the detention of an Indian doctor held over the suspected failed UK car bombings.

Mohammed Haneef, 27, arrested at Brisbane airport on 2 July, is being investigated in connection with last month's alleged car bomb attempts.

Police can question him for 12 more hours over the next three days.

UK police have freed without charge a woman they were questioning about the London and Glasgow airport incidents.

Five people are still being held in the UK, and one man has been charged with conspiracy to cause explosions.

'Significant contact'

Under Australian counter-terrorism laws, police can question Dr Haneef for 12 more hours before either charging him or letting him go.

Police had initially applied for more so-called dead time - which allows the interviewing to be put on hold so they can consider evidence already gathered or pursue other lines of inquiry.

But a police spokesman told Reuters news agency on Friday: "We have withdrawn an application to extend dead time and have recommenced questioning."

Dr Haneef has already undergone 12 hours of questioning by Australian police. Under the law, a total of 24 hours is allowed.

The doctor is related to two of the people being held in the UK over the alleged attempted car bomb attacks on central London and Glasgow airport, in Paisley, at the end of last month.

According to a report in The Australian newspaper, citing government documents, police have yet to identify evidence which would justify charges against Mr Haneef, but believe he had "significant contact" with suspects held in Britain.

Since his arrest, a further five Indian doctors have been questioned and released by the Australian authorities.



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Related to this story:
Woman in UK bomb probe released (13 Jul 07 |  UK )
Red tape holds up UK terror probe (12 Jul 07 |  South Asia )
Australia terror hearing on hold (11 Jul 07 |  Asia-Pacific )
Australia extends Haneef inquiry (09 Jul 07 |  Asia-Pacific )
Australia arrest in terror probe (03 Jul 07 |  Asia-Pacific )
Man remanded over 'car bombings' (07 Jul 07 |  UK )

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