Haneef upstaged by his transcripts

By Kelly Yates
DANDENONG’S Drum Theatre rolled out the red carpet for the world premiere of Haneef: The Interrogation last Friday night.
The story that needed to be told was finally explored in front of an audience of a hundred.
Most of the play was based on original federal police transcripts.
Dr Mohamed Haneef was played by Adam McConvell and the interrogator by Simon King.
The two-man play didn’t discover whether Dr. Mohamed Haneef was innocent or guilty; the clever craft of director Gorkem Acaroglu left the decision up to the audience.
It was an unbiased play based purely on facts.
Multi-award winning playwright Graham Pitts said the story evolved from finding the entire interrogation transcripts on the internet.
He said there was no build up of drama in the transcripts; they just went on and on.
“I did find parts funny, like the fact Haneef had to spell out every name so the police could take note,” he said.
“It was bizarre humour and I thought it would make a great play, so I did just that.”
At the end of the play, Mr Pitts took centre stage and thanked Dr. Haneef.
“I’d like to thank Dr Haneef but I can’t really thank him, all I can say is sorry.”
The 12-day interrogation cost taxpayers $7.5 million and 600 police were involved in the investigation.
Mr Pitts said Dr Haneef simply gave a friend a sim card with free calls on it and was accused of aiding a terrorist.
He said he would love to be able to speak directly with Dr Haneef.
“I could talk to him for three or four hours as I feel I already know him; I’ve lived with his transcripts for months.”
Mr Pitts said Dr Haneef was still in India and was thinking about whether to return to Australia.