Serbia’s president has sensationally accused Australia of ‘lying’ of ‘Orwellian performances’ following the deportation of World No 1 tennis star Novak Djokovic. On Sunday morning, three Australian judges ruled in favour of revoking Djokovic’s visa ahead of the Australian Open.
It concluded an incredible saga, which the ATP has called ‘deeply regrettable’.
Djokovic was set to defend his title after being granted a medical exemption by Tennis Australia because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.
However, an incredible series of events has seen the 34-year-old deported with immigration minister Alex Hawke MP revoking Djokovic’s visa on public interest grounds.
The Australian government argues that Djokovic poses a health threat to the public, of which nearly 92 per cent of individuals aged 16 and over are vaccinated against the virus.
But the fall-out over Sunday’s verdict continues, and Serbia’s government are furious.
JUST IN: Novak Djokovic ‘to remain silent’ until after Australian Open
President Aleksandar Vucic has accused Australia of lying about Serbia’s vaccination figures and of ‘Orwellian performances’, in reference to novelist George Orwell.
“You saw in the pointless court proceeding how much the prosecution lied,” he said.
“They are simply lying. They say there are fewer than 50 per cent vaccinated people in Serbia and officially the number is 58 per cent.
“Don’t forget that’s higher than in many European Union countries. That was a pointless argument, but that’s possible in Orwellian performances.”
He added: “To mistreat the best tennis player for 11 days, and on the 11th day hand him the decision made on the first day,” he said, Serbian publication Novosti reports.
“Thank you to the Australian people as I am sure they love Serbs.
“They think they have humiliated Djokovic, but they have humiliated themselves and he can return to his country and look everyone in the eyes with his head held high.”
Australian immigration minister Hawke has argued that revoking Djokovic’s visa is in the public interest. His decision falls within powers he holds under the Migration Act.
“I welcome today’s unanimous decision by the Full Federal Court of Australia, upholding my decision to exercise my power under the Migration Act to cancel Mr Novak Djokovic’s visa in the public interest,” the 44-year-old said on a statement posted to his Twitter account.
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“Australia’s strong border protection policies have kept us safe during the pandemic, resulting in one of the lowest death rates, strongest economic recoveries, and highest vaccination rates in the world. Strong border protection policies are also fundamental to safeguarding Australia’s social cohesion which continues to strengthen despite the pandemic.
“Australians have made great sacrifices to get to this point and the Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting this position, as the Australian people expect.
“To date around 43 million vaccination doses have been administered in Australia and more than 91.6% of Australians aged 16 years and over are fully vaccinated.
“Accordingly, Australia has been able to commence a step-by-step, safe reopening of its international border as a result of this successful vaccination program.”
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