Novak Djokovic? "He is not a prisoner in Australia, he is free to leave the country at any time he wants, which border authorities would facilitate." These are the words of Karen Andrews, Minister of the Interior, who responds to the accusations from the family of the Serbian tennis player who was blocked on his arrival (for participation in the Australian Open).
Djokovic, who never wanted to reveal whether or not he received the anti-Covid vaccine, had announced with a post on Instagram that he would participate in the tournament scheduled from 17 to 30 January, thanks to a medical exemption, causing a first crawl space of controversy. When he landed at Melbourne's Tullamarine airport, he was stopped by the border police who asked for clarification on his exemption, without which, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged, he would have been repatriated "on the first plane". His lawyers have appealed against the deportation and obtained a provisional injunction that freezes the situation until the hearing scheduled for Monday. In the meantime, the tennis star will have to stay at the Park Hotel, used to host "irregular" travelers and known for its poor food and maintenance conditions.
In short, a case that has now become a diplomat with widespread criticism from the Serbian authorities who have also summoned the Australian ambassador to Belgrade.
(Unioneonline / ss)
