An Australian judge has ordered that Novak Djokovic be released from a Melbourne immigration detention center, but the saga may not be over
Novak Djokovic has won his appeal against the Australian authorities’ decision to cancel his visa, although the Serbian tennis star may not be home and dry just yet as he attempts to remain in Melbourne.
In a case which played out amid intense international scrutiny, a judge at a Melbourne Federal Circuit Court ruled on Monday that Djokovic must be freed immediately from his detention at an immigration facility in the city.
Announcing the decision, Judge Anthony Kelly described the Australian government’s behavior in revoking Djokovic’s visa as “unreasonable”.
The 34-year-old had arrived in the country last Wednesday believing he had a medical exemption from vaccination which allowed him to enter, having contracted Covid-19 in December and being granted permission to play by Tennis Australia and the Victorian state authorities.
Judge Kelly found Djokovic had not been given sufficient time to discuss the situation with legal officials and his team after being told his visa would be canceled.
The Australian authorities were ordered to release Djokovic within 30 minutes of Monday’s ruling, also being told to return his passport and personal items, as well as pay his legal costs.
The ruling was greeted as a victory by Djokovic’s overjoyed supporters, some of whom had gathered in recent days outside the Melbourne detention center where he was being held.
Djokovic himself had been allowed to leave his confinement and follow the legal proceedings at the offices of his lawyers.
The world number one will now hope to get his preparations back on track for the Australian Open, which runs at Melbourne Park from January 17 to 30, and where the Serb has won nine titles previously.
However, there were warning signs during Monday’s ruling which mean that Djokovic could yet be prevented from his shot at a record 21st Grand Slam title later this month.
Ominously, government barrister Christopher Tan noted that Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has the right to exercise “the personal power of cancelation” of Djokovic’s visa.
That means Hawke could essentially step in to overrule Monday’s decision.
Judge Kelly warned that the “stakes have now risen, rather than receded”, adding that if Hawke does intervene, that could mean Djokovic being barred from entering Australia for three years.
The case has become fiercely political, with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison weighing in throughout the saga.
After Djokovic had initially revealed that he was heading Down Under to defend his title after being granted a medical exemption to compete, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned the star that he would be “on the next plane home” if border officials were not satisfied that he had a right to enter the country.
That seemed to be Djokovic’s fate after his visa was canceled, with Morrison staunchly defender the Australian Border Force’s actions and asserting that “rules are rules”.
Monday’s ruling exposed much of the confusion surrounding Djokovic’s detention and leaves the Australian authorities open to embarrassing accusations of a lack of joined-up thinking in their immigration policy.
An intervention by Immigration Minister Hawke, however, would be seen a nuclear option given that it could entail barring Djokovic from Australia for three years – even if there are reports that the ban would be not triggered automatically.
Federal sources stressing a three-year ban from entering Australia will not be automatic if Djokovic is deported. The government has discretion to allow him back for next year's Aus Open even if he is kicked out this year
While many in the Serbian community in Australia will rejoice at his release, the decision will further enrage many in the country who had been opposed to Djokovic’s participation, given his stance on Covid vaccination.
Australians have been subjected to some of the most stringent lockdown rules anywhere on the planet during the pandemic.
https://ift.tt/3JZHLGm 10, 2022 at 02:18PM
from RT – Daily news
