Global Courant
CANBERRA – Russia’s bid to build a new embassy near Australia’s parliament suffered a legal blow on Monday when the country’s top court rejected a request for temporary protection from deportation.
Australia has prevented Russia from building a new embassy in the capital Canberra – a stone’s throw from Parliament House – after intelligence officials warned it could be used as a base to spy on lawmakers.
The Russian embassy last week launched a last-minute order to temporarily detain the country, sending a mysterious diplomat to crouch on the property while the legal battle unfolds.
Australia’s Supreme Court ruled on Monday morning that Russia should temporarily leave the site until the case returns to court for more detailed legal arguments, local media reported.
The Russian embassy said it had “no comment” on the ruling.
Russia bought the land from the Australian government in 2008 and received permission in 2011 to build its new embassy there.
But the Australian government announced last week that it would break the lease.
The Australian parliament has passed laws specifically aimed at building a Russian embassy on the site, which is about 400 meters from the parliamentary precinct.
“The government has been given very clear security advice about the risk of a new Russian presence so close to the parliament building,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.
“We are acting quickly to ensure that the rental site does not become a formal diplomatic presence.” AFP
