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4 Australian Open spectators, together with a person holding a Russian flag with Vladimir Putin’s face on it, are being questioned by Victoria Police after allegedly threatening safety at Melbourne Park.
A bunch of followers on Wednesday night time gathered on the steps outdoors Rod Laver Enviornment and Margaret Courtroom Enviornment and recited pro-Russia chants, with a number of both holding or sporting numerous Russian flags.
The followers chanted “Russia, Serbia” after star Serb Novak Djokovic defeated Russian Andrey Rublev in straight units.
Amongst them was the person who held up the flag that includes Russian president Putin, whereas sporting a T-shirt bearing the pro-war in Ukraine ‘Z’ image.
A distinct man had earlier been pictured with a Z image T-shirt inside Rod Laver Enviornment in the course of the match.
Previous and current Russian flags, the Russian Eagle flag, Belarusian flags and gadgets of clothes with the Z image are prohibited gadgets at Melbourne Park.
“4 folks within the crowd leaving the stadium revealed inappropriate flags and symbols and threatened safety guards,” a Tennis Australia spokesperson stated.
“Victoria Police intervened and are persevering with to query them.
“The consolation and security of everyone seems to be our precedence and we work intently with safety and authorities.”
TA had initially allowed spectators to carry Russian and Belarusian banners to Melbourne Park, so long as they didn’t trigger disruption.
However the coverage was reversed final Tuesday morning after a Russian flag was prominently displayed courtside throughout a match involving Ukrainian participant Kateryna Baindl.
That rule has been flouted on a number of events however Wednesday night time’s incident was clearly essentially the most blatant.
Russian and Belarusian gamers, like Russians Rublev and Karen Khachanov and star Belarusians Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka, are allowed to compete in Melbourne, however should achieve this beneath a impartial banner.
They had been banned by the All England membership from taking part at Wimbledon final yr in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Russia is Belarus’ largest and most vital financial and political associate.
