Berliner Tageblatt - Australia police charge man over Russian consulate car ramming

New South Wales Police said they were called to the Russian consulate after reports an unauthorised vehicle was parked in the driveway.

The 39-year-old man allegedly climbed the fence of the consulate, entering the premises before returning to his vehicle, they said.

After being approached by police, he "allegedly accelerated the vehicle -- ramming the front gate of the property -- causing significant damage", a statement said.

Two police constables sustained minor injuries and were treated by paramedics, it added.

Police said the man was arrested and charged with allegely seeking to "enter inclosed land... without lawful excuse", possession of a knife in a public place and three counts of trying to "destroy or damage property".

He was refused bail, police said.

Local media showed footage of a white car with two windows smashed parked next to a Russian flag on the lawn of the consulate.

An AFP journalist at the scene said the hinge of the gate at the consulate's front entrance was slightly bent out of shape, but otherwise there was little damage.

Australian pro-Putin commentator Simeon Boikov, known by his moniker "Aussie Cossack", has been living at the consulate since 2022, when he was charged with assaulting a 76-year-old man at a protest.

Neither the Russian consulate nor the Russian embassy responded to requests for comment.

R.Adler--BTB