Russia’s bid to build a new embassy near Australia’s parliament suffered a legal blow on Monday, with a top court backing the government’s effort to seize the land.

Australia has blocked Russia from building a new embassy in Canberra after intelligence agencies warned it could be used as a base to spy on lawmakers.

Russia last week launched a last-minute injunction to hold on to the land while dispatching a mystery diplomat to squat there as the legal tussle played out.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-mounts-legal-challenge-to-keep-embassy-site-near-australian-parliament-607792">Russia mounts legal challenge to keep embassy site near Australian parliament</a>

But Australia’s high court ruled on Monday morning that Russia had to vacate the site, at least until the case returns to court for more detailed legal arguments.

Also watch |&nbsp;Russian diplomat stages protest as Australia dismisses lease for Moscow embassy

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The squatter-diplomat was seen exiting the site soon after the ruling, before being whisked away in a diplomatic vehicle.

“The court has made clear that there is no legal basis for a Russian presence to continue on the site at this time,” Australian Prime minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.

“We expect the Russian Federation to act in accordance with the court’s ruling.”

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.

But the Australian government announced last week it was tearing up that agreement.

Australia’s parliament passed laws specifically aimed at stopping a Russian embassy from being built on the site, which sits about 400 meters (440 yards) from the parliamentary precinct.

“The government has received very clear security advice as to the risk posed by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House,” Albanese said.

“We are acting quickly to ensure the lease site does not become a formal diplomatic presence.”

Albanese on Monday also announced a new package of military assistance for Ukraine — including 28 M113 armoured personnel carriers and an undisclosed amount of 105mm howitzer rounds.

“We support international efforts to ensure Putin’s aggression fails and that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity prevails,” Albanese said.

The package did not include Hawkei light armoured patrol vehicles or more Bushmaster infantry vehicles — both of which Ukraine had requested.

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Russia’s bid to build a new embassy near Australia’s parliament suffered a legal blow on Monday, with a top court backing the government’s effort to seize the land.

Russia’s bid to build a new embassy near Australia’s parliament suffered a legal blow on Monday, with a top court backing the government’s effort to seize the land. Australia has blocked Russia from building a new embassy in Canberra after intelligence agencies warned it could be used as a base to spy on lawmakers. Russia last week launched a last-minute injunction to hold on to the land while dispatching a mystery diplomat to squat there as the legal tussle played out. Also read | Russia mounts legal challenge to keep embassy site near Australian parliament But Australia’s high court ruled on Monday morning that Russia had to vacate the site, at least until the case returns to court for more detailed legal arguments. Also watch | Russian diplomat stages protest as Australia dismisses lease for Moscow embassy × The squatter-diplomat was seen exiting the site soon after the ruling, before being whisked away in a diplomatic vehicle. “The court has made clear that there is no legal basis for a Russian presence to continue on the site at this time,” Australian Prime minister Anthony Albanese told reporters. “We expect the Russian Federation to act in accordance with the court’s ruling.” 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. But the Australian government announced last week it was tearing up that agreement. Australia’s parliament passed laws specifically aimed at stopping a Russian embassy from being built on the site, which sits about 400 meters (440 yards) from the parliamentary precinct. “The government has received very clear security advice as to the risk posed by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House,” Albanese said. “We are acting quickly to ensure the lease site does not become a formal diplomatic presence.” Albanese on Monday also announced a new package of military assistance for Ukraine — including 28 M113 armoured personnel carriers and an undisclosed amount of 105mm howitzer rounds. “We support international efforts to ensure Putin’s aggression fails and that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity prevails,” Albanese said. The package did not include Hawkei light armoured patrol vehicles or more Bushmaster infantry vehicles — both of which Ukraine had requested. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Russia suffers legal setback in Australian embassy standoff

A former employee at Australia’s embassy in Bangkok was indicted over claims that placed multiple spy cameras were in women’s bathrooms at the building, local media reported.

The Royal Thai Police had last month arrested Bank Thamsongsana, an Australian and Thai dual national, who worked as an IT worker at the mission.

He was sacked on January 6, a day after he was arrested. Thamsongsana can face up to10 years in prison if found guilty of sexual and public nuisance offences, The Sunday Morning Herald newspaper reported.

According to reports, a probe had begun last year by the embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra after women employees found a tiny memory card in the bathrooms on the ground floor building.

Following the discovery, over 60 women lodged complaints with Royal Thai Police over concerns that they may have been recorded.

Staff were told the card was empty and no cameras were found installed, but an investigation of other devices turned up vision taken inside one of the bathrooms.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the cameras set up in the bathrooms were about the size of two 20-cent pieces, with the capacity to record for about two hours but not to transmit.

The cameras used were not permanently installed, staff have been told, but it’s unclear for how long and with what frequency they were being placed near women’s toilets and showers.

Meanwhile, the incident is being viewed as a major security lapse.

“As this is an ongoing legal matter, the department is unable to comment further. The welfare and privacy of all staff remains a priority for the department and we continue to provide appropriate support,” a spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was quoted as saying.

(With inputs from agencies)

A former employee at Australia’s embassy in Bangkok was indicted over claims that placed multiple spy cameras were in women’s bathrooms at the building, local media reported.

A former employee at Australia’s embassy in Bangkok was indicted over claims that placed multiple spy cameras were in women’s bathrooms at the building, local media reported. The Royal Thai Police had last month arrested Bank Thamsongsana, an Australian and Thai dual national, who worked as an IT worker at the mission. He was sacked on January 6, a day after he was arrested. Thamsongsana can face up to10 years in prison if found guilty of sexual and public nuisance offences, The Sunday Morning Herald newspaper reported. According to reports, a probe had begun last year by the embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra after women employees found a tiny memory card in the bathrooms on the ground floor building. Following the discovery, over 60 women lodged complaints with Royal Thai Police over concerns that they may have been recorded. Staff were told the card was empty and no cameras were found installed, but an investigation of other devices turned up vision taken inside one of the bathrooms. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the cameras set up in the bathrooms were about the size of two 20-cent pieces, with the capacity to record for about two hours but not to transmit. The cameras used were not permanently installed, staff have been told, but it’s unclear for how long and with what frequency they were being placed near women’s toilets and showers. Meanwhile, the incident is being viewed as a major security lapse. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, the department is unable to comment further. The welfare and privacy of all staff remains a priority for the department and we continue to provide appropriate support,” a spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was quoted as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

Former staff at Australia’s Thailand embassy held for installing spy cameras at women’s bathrooms

<a href="Maldives bans travellers from China over virus fears">Maldives&nbsp;</a>police on Thursday arrested three men over the stabbing of two <a href="Maldives bans travellers from China over virus fears">Chinese nationals</a> and an Australian, and were probing their suspected links with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/despite-defeats-the-islamic-state-remains-unbroken-and-defiant-around-the-world-277491">Islamic State</a>, officials said.

The three men were stabbed on Tuesday night in Hulhumale, an island seven kilometers north of capital city Male, police said on Twitter.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-bans-travellers-from-china-over-virus-fears-tourism-minister-278491">Maldives bans travellers from China over virus fears</a>

One of the Chinese nationals was a tourist and the two others worked in the city. They were in stable conditions in hospital, police added.

Chinese and Australian embassy officials were not immediately available to comment.

A Maldivian radical group affiliated with Islamic State had taken responsibility for the attack in a video posted online, local media reported on Wednesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-uk-leaves-european-union-maldives-rejoins-commonwealth-278022">As UK leaves European Union, Maldives rejoins Commonwealth</a>

One of the three masked men seen in the video accused the Maldivian government of being run by infidels and warned more such attacks were coming.

Police said they were working to confirm the veracity of the video.

Last year, a 35-year-old man identified as a leader for Islamic State in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-uk-leaves-european-union-maldives-rejoins-commonwealth-278022">Maldives&nbsp;</a>by the US&nbsp;authorities was arrested for allegedly leading <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/despite-defeats-the-islamic-state-remains-unbroken-and-defiant-around-the-world-277491">Islamic State</a> recruitment in the mainly Sunni Muslim nation.

The archipelago in the Indian Ocean derives much of its income from tourism.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/despite-defeats-the-islamic-state-remains-unbroken-and-defiant-around-the-world-277491">Islamic State</a> claimed responsibility for deadly bombings in Sri Lanka in April last year, and has been looking to bolster its presence in the sub-continent after being driven out of its self-styled caliphate in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/despite-defeats-the-islamic-state-remains-unbroken-and-defiant-around-the-world-277491">Iraq </a>and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/despite-defeats-the-islamic-state-remains-unbroken-and-defiant-around-the-world-277491">Syria</a>.

The&nbsp;Maldives&nbsp;parliament has given sweeping investigative powers to counter-terrorism agencies, and authorities have stepped up operations against hardline Islamist groups.

Maldives police on Thursday arrested three men over the stabbing of two Chinese nationals and an Australian, and were probing their suspected links with Islamic State, officials said.

Maldives police on Thursday arrested three men over the stabbing of two Chinese nationals and an Australian, and were probing their suspected links with Islamic State, officials said. The three men were stabbed on Tuesday night in Hulhumale, an island seven kilometers north of capital city Male, police said on Twitter. Also read: Maldives bans travellers from China over virus fears One of the Chinese nationals was a tourist and the two others worked in the city. They were in stable conditions in hospital, police added. Chinese and Australian embassy officials were not immediately available to comment. A Maldivian radical group affiliated with Islamic State had taken responsibility for the attack in a video posted online, local media reported on Wednesday. Also read: As UK leaves European Union, Maldives rejoins Commonwealth One of the three masked men seen in the video accused the Maldivian government of being run by infidels and warned more such attacks were coming. Police said they were working to confirm the veracity of the video. Last year, a 35-year-old man identified as a leader for Islamic State in the Maldives by the US authorities was arrested for allegedly leading Islamic State recruitment in the mainly Sunni Muslim nation. The archipelago in the Indian Ocean derives much of its income from tourism. Islamic State claimed responsibility for deadly bombings in Sri Lanka in April last year, and has been looking to bolster its presence in the sub-continent after being driven out of its self-styled caliphate in Iraq and Syria. The Maldives parliament has given sweeping investigative powers to counter-terrorism agencies, and authorities have stepped up operations against hardline Islamist groups.

Maldives police arrest three over stabbing of two Chinese and one Australian national