Was Novak Djokovic arrested? Aussie cops swarm lawyer's office as player wins appeal
There is reportedly a heavy police presence near the office of Novak Djokovic’s lawyer hours after a judge ruled that he can stay in the country after his visa was torn up by the border guards. On Monday afternoon, January 10, Australian cops were seen standing outside the Melbourne offices of World No 1’s legal team. Besides, a white van mostly used to transport detained migrants was also seen at the scene.
As per reports, the drama started Wednesday, January 5, when Djokovic entered Australia without taking the double dose of the Covid-19 vaccinations, saying he had recently tested positive, which he apparently thought was a valid medical exemption to vaccination rules. But he was proved wrong and his visa was taken away from him before being detained along with refugees while he waited for his appeal to be heard in the courts.
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Djokovic’s appeal was heard on Monday and judge Anthony Kelly ruled in his favor, saying the border guards' action was "unreasonable" and should have given enough time to the Serbian tennis player to appeal. The verdict also included the immediate release of Djokovic, the financial bearing of his court costs, and the return of his passport and belongings. But Christopher Tran, who was fighting the case from the government's side, claimed that immigration minister Alex Hawke can probably use his power to send back the tennis ace. If Hawke took that step, it would also lead to banning Djokovic for three years from Australia.
The athlete has come to Australia to compete at the Open that begins on January 17. But he has been marred with controversies. He had claimed that he was infected with coronavirus in December 2021 and it was a valid reason to get the medical exemption from the nation’s condition for all visitors to be double jabbed. But the Australian government had argued that non-citizens cannot get guaranteed entry, and even if the court has a difference of opinion, it can revoke his visa and deport him.
According to Daily Mail, court documents filed by Australia's Home Affairs Department stated, “there is no such thing as an assurance of entry by a non-citizen into Australia. As the Court raised with the parties at a previous mention, if this Court were to make orders in the applicant's favor, it would then be for the respondent to administer the Act in accordance with law. That may involve the delegate deciding whether to make another cancellation decision, but there are also other powers in the Act, as the Court would be aware.”
Was Novak Djokovic arrested?
Earlier claims were made that Djokovic had been arrested, but Sky News confirmed that it was not true. The publication said that it “understands that immigration minister Alex Hawke is still deciding whether to re-cancel his visa, though time is running short for him to do so. It cited four sources, including tennis insiders and representatives of the federal government. There is confusion at present as to where Djokovic is, though claims add there is no police or border force presence outside his lawyer's offices.”
Meanwhile, a lot of people have reacted online over the whole fiasco. A user tweeted, “Australia is looking for trouble….” Another user commented, “This is an important decision for freedom. If you have natural antibodies and/or taken a PCR and a lateral flow to confirm you have no current infection, you have a higher certainty of knowing if you are likely to spread infection to others.” “I never realised the Australian Government had the power to overrule their own courts like the tories now have here....” a person added.
This is an important decision for freedom. If you have natural antibodies and/or taken a PCR and a lateral flow to confirm you have no current infection, you have a higher certainty of knowing if you are likely to spread infection to others.
— ndmonkey (@ndmonkey) January 10, 2022
I never realised the Australian Government had the power to overrule their own courts like the tories now have here....
— YES (@FraserStewart7) January 10, 2022
Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.