CANBERRA - Russia’s bid to build a new embassy near Australia’s parliament suffered a legal blow on Monday, when the country’s highest court denied a request for temporary protection against eviction.
– a stone’s throw from Parliament House – after intelligence agencies warned it could be used as a base to spy on lawmakers. Russia’s embassy last week launched a last-minute injunction to temporarily hold on to the land, whileAustralia’s high court ruled on Monday morning that Russia had to temporarily vacate the site until the case returns to court for more detailed legal arguments, local media reported.Russia bought the lease to the land from the Australian government in 2008, and in 2011 was granted approval to build its new embassy there.
“The government has received very clear security advice as to the risk posed by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.More On This Topic