Wednesday January 12, 2022
It is not only the PCR test that raises doubts
New allegations delay Djokovic’s decision
Novak Djokovic’s entry into Australia is becoming an everlasting story. The Department of Immigration needs more time to review the documents and allegations against the unvaccinated tennis professional. It should be about travel plans, PCR tests and personal suitability.
The decision in the case of tennis professional Novak Djokovic about his entry to Australia will be delayed and should not be made before Thursday. This was reported by the Australian news agency AAP. New information from the 34-year-old Serb’s lawyers had postponed the time frame, said the office of Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke. Other documents had been submitted that could prove relevant to a possible cancellation of Djokovic’s visa. “That will of course affect the time frame for a decision,” it said.
Djokovic was refused entry into the country last week because he was not vaccinated against the coronavirus and the documentation of his medical exemption was insufficient for the authorities. Because the border officials had not given him the agreed time to clarify, the decision was overturned during a court hearing on Monday. Minister Hawke has reserved the right to exercise his personal rights and to invalidate Djokovic’s visa.
The exceptional Serbian player, who would become the sole Grand Slam record champion with a success at the Australian Open, had spoken for the first time a few hours before the renewed postponement. Via Instagram, however, he was unable to clear up the contradictions about his travel activities or to refute the accusation that he did not go into isolation according to the requirements after his positive Corona test on December 16. Instead, he took an appointment on December 18 with the French sports newspaper “L’Equipe”.
The character assessment is also relevant
In addition, there is a report by “Spiegel” after inconsistencies about Djokovic’s positive PCR test from December 16, which is the basis for the exemption for entry into Australia. According to the news magazine, the URL of the test allegedly carried out on December 16 suggests that it was from December 26. In the case of the negative test from December 22nd, which was also submitted by the Djokovic site, the date and URL matched, it is said.
The question that remains open is whether the positive test was simply entered into the system late, whether it actually only took place on December 26th or could even have been invented in order to meet the Australian visa requirements.
The Hawke Ministry seems to be carefully examining the information and processes, hence the renewed postponement of the decision. Christopher Levingston, an expert on immigration law, told the AFP news agency that not only criminal reasons could lead to the visa being canceled. According to him, a refusal of the residence permit for reasons of character is also possible.