A stand-off is underway in Canberra involving a man allegedly squatting on land previously earmarked for a new Russian embassy. 9News
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced last week the bipartisan decision to pass legislation that would cancel a Russian diplomatic lease on the land on security grounds, due to its close proximity to Parliament House.a "Russian diplomat" has been living in a demountable home on the site while under observation from the Australian Federal Police.A stand-off involving a plot of land once ear-marked as a future Russian embassy site is unfolding in Canberra.
If the man is a member of Russia's diplomatic mission to Australia, he would be unable to be arrested due to diplomatic immunity, unless the federal government declares him persona non grata and deports him back to Russia. This would almost certainly spark a reprisal from Moscow, which last week voiced its clear disapproval over the government's decision regarding the lease.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was no security risk."Of course, we anticipated that Russia would not be happy with our response," Albanese said.
"We expected that, but we're confident of our position and processes are underway for the Commonwealth to formalise possession of the site."
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