Australia stops new Russian embassy building on security advice
Written by Samson Ojeniran on June 15, 2023
Australia has blocked Russia from building a new embassy near its parliament, citing a spying risk.
Laws specifically drafted to halt construction were rapidly passed this Thursday after legal attempts to block the Canberra development failed.
The laws which took less than five minutes to be introduced, and passed through the House of Representatives, acknowledges that Russia may be eligible for financial compensation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Russia is not in a position to talk about international law, given its rejection of it so consistently and so brazenly with their invasion of Ukraine.
A Russian diplomat had said the embassy is seeking legal advice” in the wake of the announcement.
