Djokovic hearing adjourned, to remain in immigration detention
Baku, January 6, AZERTAC
Australia will not immediately deport tennis world number one Novak Djokovic as the star remained in immigration detention, a government lawyer has told a court hearing, according to Al Jazeera.
At a hearing on Thursday, representatives for the Serb and for the Minister for Immigration reached agreement that no move would be made to deport the 20-time major winner before Monday’s hearing in a Federal court.
State lawyer Christopher Tran said Australia did not plan to deport him before the final court hearing.
Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly said there was a delay in receiving the application for a review of the visa decisions and the temporary ban on Djokovic’s deportation.
Australia cancelled Djokovic’s visa and denied entry upon his arrival earlier, the country’s border agency announced, saying the sportsman “failed to provide appropriate evidence” to meet entry requirements.
The Serb had obtained a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination in order to play in the Australian Open, which starts in less than two weeks.
Djokovic was taken from Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport to the Park Hotel, a government detention hotel notorious for several coronavirus outbreaks, pending his removal.
Judge Kelly said he was open to Djokovic giving evidence remotely from immigration detention. He also warned he would not be swayed by a Tennis Australia preference that the matter be resolved by Tuesday.
Earlier on Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed Djokovic’s visa had been cancelled on social media.
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