NOVAK Djokovic’s dad has called on the QUEEN to intervene in his son’s visa drama and “protect the human rights” of the tennis star after he was allegedly arrested.
The World Number One’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, slammed Australia as a “fake democracy” and claimed his son was being treated as a “political prisoner”.
Djokovic, 34, was held up for six hours at Melbourne Airport then ordered to isolate at a grim immigration hotel last week after attempting to enter the country using a “medical exemption”.
Officials told him his exemption from strict Covid clamps Down Under was flawed.
But a judge overturned the decision on Monday, ordering the player’s immediate release from the quarantine hotel and telling the government to pay his legal costs.
Djokovic’s father Srdjan then sparked hysteria by claiming his son had been arrested and taken back into custody.
Government officials have insisted Djokovic was never arrested and said he was free to move into his rented accommodation.
During a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Srdjan urged the Queen to get involved in the fiasco and “protect the human rights” of his son, the New Zealand Herald reports.
According to a translation, he said: “I call on Queen Elizabeth, the leader of the Commonwealth, to intervene and protect the human rights of my son and to stop the political prosecution carried out against him since he came to Australia.”
The fuming father added: “I call on all Australians and the whole world to raise their voice against terror, and the brutal human rights violations of the world’s best tennis player.
“Australia has become a dystopia, a mockery of the free world, they treat Novak Djokovic, my son, your world champion, as a political prisoner. As a terrorist in Guantanamo Bay.
“They deprive him of the right to play, to individuality, to freedom of opinion.
“But I publicly claim: Political beasts will not break it. The whole world can now see a fake democracy led by one Scott.
“Novak is treated by the Australian government as an enemy of the state, not the best tennis player in the world who has always helped Australia with his donations in philanthropy. He is treated by ethnic racists as a lower-class citizen.”
Srdjan said Australia was “run by political criminals who do not respect individual rights or court decisions”.
He also branded Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison a “dictator”.
He said: “Autocracy has shown its true face today. Contrary to the decision of the independent Court of Australia, dictator Scott ordered the arrest of my son,
“Your World Champion, Novak Djokovic, and deportation, banning him from entering the country for three long years. The court showed that law exists in Australia, but Scott dared to take justice into his own hands.”
‘FIGHTERS FOR JUSTICE’
Meanwhile, the tennis star’s brother, Djordje, said: “We are fighters for justice and rule of law. We have done everything we could to follow procedures and to show everyone in the world we need to send love to Novak.”
But Djokovic’s family quickly halted the press conference after a question was asked about what happened after the day after he tested positive for Covid on December 16.
Snaps showed him smiling mask-free while handing out awards to a group of young tennis fans during a ceremony at the Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade, which reportedly took place on December 17.
Djokovic has returned to the court on Monday and vowed to play in the Australian Open after winning his visa court battle – but ministers are still threatening to deport him.
He tweeted on Monday: “I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation.
“Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans.
“For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong”.
Djokovic shared his message alongside a picture of him training at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena just hours after he was released from immigration detention.
But ministerial powers could be used to again revoke Djokovic’s visa and order his removal from the country, which would result in him being banned for three years.
Immigration Minister Alex Hawke could use “personal discretion” to move ahead with another cancellation.
The Aussie government has confirmed Mr Hawke is still considering whether to cancel Djokovic’s visa.
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