Man arrested after crashing car into Russian consulate in Australia

Tiffanie TurnbullBBC News, Sydney

A man has been arrested after driving a car through the gates of the Russian consulate in Sydney.

Police were called to the consulate in the suburb of Woollahra around 08:00 local time, following reports that an unauthorised vehicle was parked in the driveway.

They attempted to speak to the driver, before he allegedly crashed through the gates at the property’s entrance.

The 39-year-old was arrested at the scene and is assisting police with their inquiries, police said. One officer suffered an injury to his hand, but there were no other reports of injuries.

Police have revealed no further information about the driver or their motivation, but say inquires are ongoing.

A witness told the Sydney Morning Herald that the man was arrested without an apparent struggle.

“I just saw the policemen draw their guns at the gentleman, asking the gentleman to come out of his car,” a neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told the newspaper.