{"id":1196407,"date":"2022-01-07T09:35:09","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T14:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1196407"},"modified":"2022-01-07T09:35:18","modified_gmt":"2022-01-07T14:35:18","slug":"orthodox-djokovic-spends-serbian-christmas-in-australian-detention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/orthodox-djokovic-spends-serbian-christmas-in-australian-detention\/","title":{"rendered":"Orthodox Djokovic Spends Serbian Christmas in Australian Detention"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Forthodox-djokovic-spends-serbian-christmas-in-australian-detention%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1196407&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GettyImages-166218766-e1641553211708-640x335-1.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/div>\n<p class=\"subheading\">(AP) \u2014 Regardless of who made an error on the visa or the vaccination waiver or whatever, the reality Friday for tennis No. 1 Novak Djokovic was spending one of his important religious holidays in an Australian detention hotel working on his challenge against deportation.<\/p>\n<p>Djokovic has been receiving calls from Serbia, including from his parents and the president, hoping to boost his spirits. A priest from the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Melbourne sought permission from immigration authorities to visit the nine-time Australian Open champion to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B1\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"gmxrevmore\" class=\"H\"><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cOur Christmas is rich in many customs and it is so important that a priest visits him,\u201d the church\u2019s dean, Milorad Locard, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. \u201cThe whole thing around this event is appalling. That he has to spend Christmas in detention \u2026 it is unthinkable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Djokovic\u2019s supporters gathered outside the Park Hotel, used to house refugees and asylum seekers near downtown Melbourne, waving flags and banners.<\/p>\n<p>They mixed with human rights advocates who were there more to highlight the plight of other longer-term people in detention, many who have long complained about their living conditions and exposure to the coronavirus in the pandemic.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Serbian fans on Christmas in front of the hotel where <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Djokovic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Djokovic<\/a> is at. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xlPnbxru2o\">pic.twitter.com\/xlPnbxru2o<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sa\u0161a Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ozmo_sasa\/status\/1479380558652268545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>A day after both the prime minister and the home affairs minister said it was the responsibility of the individual to have their visa documents in order, it seemed to dawn on people locally that whatever mistakes happened in the process, one of the highest-profile athletes in the world was in detention.<\/p>\n<p>Djokovic flew to Australia confident he had everything he needed to compete, given he had been approved by Victoria state government for a medical exemption.<\/p>\n<p>That same evidence didn\u2019t comply with the Australian government\u2019s regulations.<\/p>\n<p>So, instead of preparing to defend his Australian Open title, and bid to win a men\u2019s-record 21st major title, he\u2019s preparing to go to the Federal Circuit Court on Monday to challenge his visa cancellation and deportation.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B3\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Merry Orthodox Christmas to fmr colleagues, friends &amp; all who celebrate today (observing Julian calendar which pre-dates the Gregorian one \u2013 FYI <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Cyprus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Cyprus<\/a> celebrated 25\/12). Blessings always. Peace, happiness &amp; prosperity across the continents. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OrthodoxChristmas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#OrthodoxChristmas<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xlPAhbNP18\">pic.twitter.com\/xlPAhbNP18<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Euripides L Evriviades \ud83c\uddfe\ud83c\uddfa (@eevriviades) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/eevriviades\/status\/1479362557098049540?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Attention is moving away from Djokovic\u2019s vaccination status \u2014 a touchy topic in a city where people spent so long in lockdown and were subject to harsh travel restrictions \u2013 and onto questions about how the nine-time Australian Open champion could have wound up in this situation.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"D-ROS-B2\" class=\"a8d\"><\/figure>\n<p>Even some who have been critical of Djokovic in the past are now in his corner.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLook, I definitely believe in taking action, I got vaccinated because of others and for my mums health, but how we are handling Novak\u2019s situation is bad, really bad,\u201d Nick Kyrgios, an Australian player and outspoken critic of some of Djokovic\u2019s opinions on vaccinations, posted on Twitter. \u201cThis is one of our great champions but at the end of the day, he is human. Do better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jelena Djokovic posted on social media to thank her husband\u2019s supporters.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"M-ROS-B4\" class=\"a8d adSo\"><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThank you dear people, all around the world for using your voice to send love to my husband,\u201d she posted on Twitter. \u201cI am taking a deep breath to calm down and find gratitude (and understanding) in this moment for all that is happening.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"und\" dir=\"ltr\">For those following the old Calendar tonight is the orthodox Christmas Eve , so Happy Christmas , \u0412\u0435\u0441\u0435\u043b\u0438\u0445 \u0421\u0432\u044f\u0442\u044c \u0456 \u0428\u0430\u0441\u043b\u0438\u0432\u043e\u0433\u043e \u041d\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0420\u043e\u043a\u0443, Nadolig Llawen \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udff4\ud83c\uddfa <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tv0O4DKeFi\">pic.twitter.com\/tv0O4DKeFi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mick Antoniw MS\/AS \ud83d\udc99 (@MickAntoniw1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MickAntoniw1\/status\/1479112837414862856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 6, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Critics of the medical exemptions have said if there were no loopholes, then nobody would be in Djokovic\u2019s position right now. And while players have sympathized with Djokovic\u2019s situation, some have said getting vaccinated would have prevented the problems.<\/p>\n<p>Djokovic has been a vaccine skeptic, and has declined to acknowledge if he\u2019s had shots for COVID-19, but there can\u2019t be any doubt he travelled to Australia believing his paperwork was all in order.<\/p>\n<p>The medical-exemption applications from players, their teams and tennis officials were vetted by two independent panels of medical experts at the state level. Djokovic had an approved exemption allowing him into the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>But when he landed at the airport, the Australian government\u2019s Border Force cancelled Djokovic\u2019s visa, saying he \u201cfailed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A happy Orthodox Christmas to all those celebrating it yesterday and today in the Holy Land and around the world \ud83c\udf84\ud83c\udf87\ud83c\udf1f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ms6CC5BNXu\">pic.twitter.com\/ms6CC5BNXu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 EU in Israel \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf1 (@EUinIsrael) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EUinIsrael\/status\/1479354480189710336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Australia\u2019s strict COVID-19 laws dictate that incoming travellers must have had two shots of an approved vaccine, or must have an exemption with a genuine medical reason, such as an acute condition, to avoid quarantine.<\/p>\n<p>Tennis Australia said Djokovic\u2019s request for an exemption \u201cwas granted following a rigorous review process.\u201d Neither Tennis Australia nor Djokovic revealed the reason he sought an exemption.<\/p>\n<p>The Australian Border Force rejected his exemption as invalid, cancelled his visa and then moved him to the immigration hotel. His lawyers worked urgently to ensure he could stay until Monday, when the a federal judge will hear his challenge, a week before the Australian Open is set to start.<\/p>\n<p>After the news broke of the visa cancellation, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley defended the \u201ccompletely legitimate application and process\u201d and insisted there was no special treatment for Djokovic.<\/p>\n<p>He said only 26 people connected with the tournament applied for a medical exemption \u2013 to avoid the rule that all players, staff, officials and fans needed to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter Melbourne Park \u2013 and only a \u201chandful\u201d were granted. None, expect Djokovic, who posted it himself on social media, have been publicly identified. Now two others are under investigation.<\/p>\n<p>Tiley hasn\u2019t commented officially since then.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"de\" dir=\"ltr\">Orthodox <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Christmas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Christmas<\/a> celebrations in <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Bethlehem?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Bethlehem<\/a> \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TpjyuWgd0I\">pic.twitter.com\/TpjyuWgd0I<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bertas Venckaitis (@BVenckaitis) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BVenckaitis\/status\/1479345480761057290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h5 class=\"western\"><em><span>Follow Breitbart London on Facebook:<\/span><\/em><em>&nbsp;<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BreitbartLondon\/\"><span>Breitbart London<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(AP) \u2014 Regardless of who made an error on the visa or the vaccination waiver or whatever, the reality Friday for tennis No. 1 Novak Djokovic was spending one of &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":2315279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1196407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1196407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1196407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1196407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1196407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1196407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1196407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}