Novak Djokovic had been held in isolation after border officials revoked his visa due to issues about his medical exemption to having a COVID-19 injection.
 |
| Novak DjokovicPhoto by Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images for Lexus |
MELBOURNE (Planet-Today) – International tennis star, Novak Djokovic, has won a court challenge against the Australian government’s cancellation of his visa, following days of forced isolation after he was denied entry to the country due to not revealing his vaccination status, despite having a medical exemption from the shot.
Following an online hearing this morning, Judge Anthony Kelly in the Federal Court Circuit overruled a prior decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa, and the tennis star was ordered to be released from his mandatory detention “no later than 30 minutes” after the order was given.
Kelly declared that the “rules were not observed” when border officials decided to revoke Djokovic’s visa.
Kelly also ordered the government to pay the athlete’s legal costs and to return his personal belongings.
Djokovic has previously voiced his opposition to the COVID-19 vaccination and mandates, including travel mandates. He revealed his inclination not to take the jab back in April as part of a Facebook Live video with fellow Serbian athletes, saying, “Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.”
“But if it becomes compulsory, what will happen? I will have to make a decision. I have my own thoughts about the matter and whether those thoughts will change at some point, I don’t know.”
A transcript of Djokovic’s interrogation by Australia border guards has revealed that the tennis star has not received a COVID-19 vaccine, but that he has had the virus twice.
Djokovic thanks fans
Djokovic has since released a statement, saying “I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation.” The world’s top ranked tennis player thanked his fans for their support and encouragement.
I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened,I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 10, 2022
I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans. 👇 pic.twitter.com/iJVbMfQ037
Will Djokovic’s visa be cancelled again?
Following Monday’s court ruling however, immigration minister Alex Hawke warned that he would consider exercising a “personal power” to have Djokovic removed from the country, cancelling the athlete’s visa and resulting in Djokovic being prevented from returning for three years.
The situation on the ground after the hearing remains unclear, with Djokovic’s father apparently telling media that his son has been “arrested,” and supporters who had gathered to celebrate the court victory are becoming uncertain as to the tennis star’s immediate future due to a “significant police presence” outside Djokovic’s lawyers’ office.
“Novak is in a political whirlwind, the people in Australia are unhappy since they have been locked down basically since the pandemic started,” said his brother, Djordje. “It’s definitely politics. What we can do is to let this be known all over social media – they want to capture and lock up Novak again.”
The Djokovic family are understood to be holding a press conference in Belgrade, at 6am EST.
Former Brexit party leader Nigel Farage, who has been a public supproter of Djokovic during the trial, celebrated Judge Kelly’s ruling, warning that any further retaliation from the government could backfire.
A huge win for @DjokerNole this morning. If the Australian government fight this they will look dreadful.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) January 10, 2022
Meanwhile Australian Member of Parliament and leader of the United Australia Party, Craig Kelly, described the court ruling as a “brilliant legal win & the rule of law restored. MASSIVE loss for Minister Karen Andrews & Morrison. Karen Andrews must RESIGN. Morrison must APOLOGISE to Djokovic. Djokovic MUST be allowed to play.”
(Article by Calvin Freiburger republished from LifeSiteNews.com)