MOSCOW, February 2 World Serb Novak Djokovic allegedly used fake COVID-19 documents to try to enter Australia to compete in the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne, AP reports. Earlier, several publications, including Spiegel and the BBC, reported discrepancies in serial numbers of tests conducted in Serbia on Djokovic prior to his trip to Australia, which could indicate «possible irregularities in their conduct.» The prosecutor's office said in a statement that a request was received to initiate criminal proceedings against unnamed individuals who allegedly forged two PCR test certificate for COVID-19, which Djokovic later used to apply for a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination to enter Australia. Djokovic has been tested several times and that his certificates of test results dated December 16, 2021 and December 22, 2021 are valid,” prosecutors said in a statement. In January, Djokovic arrived in Australia to compete in the Australian Open. The next day, he was placed in an immigration detention, because the authorities were not convinced of the reasons for the athlete's medical withdrawal from the coronavirus vaccination, his Australian visa was canceled. Four days later, Djokovic was released from detention by court order, but Australian Immigration Minister Hawke decided to re-revoke the athlete's visa «in the public interest.» The 34-year-old Serb was again placed in isolation and filed an appeal, which was not satisfied by the Federal Court of Australia. Djokovic left the country on the night of January 17th.
