Australian Open: Four spectators investigated for unfurling Russian flags

Four spectators carrying Russian flags at the Australian Tennis Open, including a Vladimir Putin lookalike, were questioned by police on Wednesday during the matches, Australian media reported.

These spectators especially attended the meeting between the Russian Andrey Rublev and the Serbian Novak Djokovic, which the newspapers reported that the latter won. age And Herald Sun.

“Four people left the stadium brandishing inappropriate flags and symbols and threatening security guards,” a spokesperson for the Tennis Australia organizers was quoted as saying by this media.

“Victoria State Police have responded and are continuing to investigate. The comfort and safety of everyone is our priority and we are working closely with the police and authorities”, added the same source.

AFP has contacted Tennis Australia for more information.

Footage streamed online showed at least one man waving a Russian flag bearing the face of President Vladimir Putin.

Following an intervention by Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia last week, spectators at the Australian Open are banned from waving symbols of Russia or Belarus.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian tennis players have competed under the white neutral flag and as independents in tennis tournaments.