Australian Open 2022 – Novak Djokovic wins VISA BATTLE: World number 1 tennis star Novak Djokovic has won a sensational court battle against the Australian government. An Australian court ruled in Djokovic’s favour, asking the Border Force to return his passport and release him from detention immediately. But the federal lawyers warned that the government may use its powers to re-cancel his visa. Hence, there could be a Round 2. Follow Aus Open 2022 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Judge Anthony Kelly who heard the case believed that the decision to cancel Djokovic’s was “unreasonable”. He has ordered the government to release Novak Djokovic from detention immediately. The court further ordered the government to return his passport and other personal belongings immediately.
The power of the “kolo”#Djokovicpic.twitter.com/Aom2F4MxXD
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) January 10, 2022
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic wins first set of court battle against Australian Govt, cleared to compete in AO2022
BREAKING:
Djokovic wins Round 1 of his legal appeal on procedural grounds, quashing the border officer’s initial decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa.
The Australian government has expressed its readiness to recancel the visa and redetain Djokovic, so Round 2 is coming soon.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 10, 2022
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic wins first set of court battle against Australian Govt, cleared to compete in AO2022
However, there could be a Round 2 as Australia’s federal minister of immigration Alex Hawke warned that he might use further power to cancel Djokovic’s visa again. It is up to the minister to use his power to use his “personal power of cancellation” even after court ruling.
“I could have been something approaching incandescent if I had discovered that for the first time…this evening or the early hours of tomorrow,” Judge Kelly said.
Novak Djokovic was detained upon his arrival in Melbourne for an “incorrect” visa application and vaccine exemption. He was detained and put up in a Melbourne detention centre since his arrival on Thursday.
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic wins first set of court battle against Australian Govt, cleared to compete in AO2022
Novak Djokovic’s lawyers argued that since he tested positive on December 17, he was ineligible to take the vaccine. However, images on Serbian websites showed he was still attending events on December 17.
Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic wins first set of court battle against Australian Govt, cleared to compete in AO2022
Novak Djokovic’s fans celebrated the court’s verdict in front of the court house.
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