tennis star Novak Djokovik He is set to be detained again by Australian immigration officials as the government attempts to deport him for a second time.
Djokovic will again be put under house arrest early Saturday after meeting with his lawyers and immigration officials. The world’s top-ranked tennis player will remain under house arrest for the second time until the outcome of a court hearing to cancel the cancellation of his entry permit.
Djokovic’s lawyers are challenging Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s use of special powers to revoke his visa on grounds of health and good order, and on the grounds that it is in the public interest to do so. The decision reversed an earlier court ruling that had canceled his first visa for procedural reasons.
While Djokovic entered Australia with a valid medical exemption from vaccination, the government said his presence could endanger lives and the civil order by fueling anti-vaccination sentiment, The Age newspaper reported on Saturday as unpublished reasons for Hawke’s decision. Said citing.
The government also said that Djokovic displayed a “clear disregard” for basic rules such as isolating after testing positive, which could encourage or influence others to emulate his conduct, the newspaper reported.
Read: Djokovic’s Australian visa canceled again in public interest
Public outcry has stunned the champion since his arrival in Australia last week following the revelation that he had secured a medical exemption to play in the tournament, setting off a wave of anger in a country that has seen some of the worst in the pandemic. Withstood the toughest sanctions. While the state of Victoria granted Djokovic an exemption, federal officials reversed his visa upon arrival.
Djokovic sparked further controversy in Australia and abroad this week when he admitted he had participated in a newspaper interview and photo shoot after he knew he was contagious with COVID-19. He also blamed “human error” for the wrong travel declaration, which he used to enter Australia.
Djokovic entered the Australian Open on Thursday despite doubts about his ability to play in an effort to win a record 21st Grand Slam title. The No. 1 seed was to face fellow Serbian Miomir Kekmanovic in his first match.
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