Indian doctor's detention extended by two days

MELBOURNE: Indian doctor Muhammad Haneef, being questioned in Brisbane over the foiled UK bomb plot, will be held for another two days after the federal police were granted an extension by an interim court order.

The development came as Prime Minister John Howard on Monday declined to comment on Haneef's detention, except to say that he was subject to the presumption of innocence.

"He has not been charged with any offence, and he may not be charged with any offence," Howard said.

Haneef has been held without charge for a week under federal counter-terrorism powers since he was arrested at Brisbane airport on Monday last.

Australian Federal Police had until 7 pm local time tonight to hold Haneef. But they applied to the Brisbane Magistrates Court seeking to extend the detention without charge for another five days.

The order was opposed by lawyers for Haneef at a closed court hearing which began at 4 pm.

The court's granted the AFP an interim order, allowing them to hold Haneef for another 48 hours.

The case will return to the same court on Wednesday morning where the AFP will argue for a further extension to the existing order.

The 27-year-old has been detained at a Brisbane watch-house since his arrest as authorities investigate whether he has any links to the failed attacks in London and at Glasgow airport, as well as to a national sleeper cell of foreign doctors established here to fund overseas terrorist activities.