‘Mr Bondi’ takes on the cops and WINS after he was dramatically arrested in his red budgie smugglers while trying to sunbake during lockdown
- Dimitri Moskovich was arrested at Bondi Beach for breaching social distancing
- The distressing arrest was captured on video in April last year during lockdown
- His April arrest made headlines after a struggle ensued with two police officers
- The man known as ‘Mr Bondi’ has now won a major legal battle against police
Police have dropped all charges against ‘Mr Bondi’ after dramatically tackling the popular strongman to the ground and slapping handcuffs on him during the height of Australia’s Covid lockdown.
Dimitri Moskovich, 55, was arrested in his Speedos on April 19 last year and charged with resisting an officer and failing to comply with a notice in a public place.
The colourful Russian-born personality maintained there were no signs at North Bondi’s Ben Buckler Point and that he was entitled to go outside for essential exercise.
Sydney man Dimitri Moskovich (pictured) has won a major battle against NSW Police
He emerged from Downing Centre Local Court on Friday after police prosecutors dismissed the charges against him and agreed to pay his $25,000 legal costs.
Mr Moskovich told reporters he couldn’t believe such a thing could happen in Australia, the Daily Telegraph reported.
‘I came to this country, it’s a free country, when it happened to me I thought I was in Russia,’ he said.
The Bondi icon is now preparing to sue New South Police for unlawful arrest and assault.
Dozens of shocked locals watched on and filmed Mr Moskovich – wearing nothing but his signature red budgie smugglers – being arrested by two police officers.
In the distressing footage, Mr Moskovich was held down on the grass while the officers attempted to handcuff him.
Locals pleaded with police not to use handcuffs and let Mr Moskovich keep his ‘dignity’.
Mr Moskovich’s arrest (pictured) made headlines after he was filmed in a struggle with two NSW officers and now his lawyer argues the arrest involved ‘unlawful force’
Dozens of shocked locals watched on and filmed Mr Moskovich (pictured), wearing nothing but his signature red budgie smugglers, being arrested by police officers
‘Just cooperate with us okay?’ the female officers told Mr Moskovich, who called out to onlookers to film the incident.
He begged police to allow him to go with them without being handcuffed first.
‘Please guys, just stop. I’m not doing anything wrong. You started harassing me. You started with me about nothing,’ he is heard saying.
‘I’ll come with you to the police station but I’m not giving you my arms.’
Police eventually handcuffed Mr Moskovich before putting him in the back of a police car.
He was then charged with resisting arrest and failing to comply with a notice in a public place.
At the time of his arrest Bondi Beach had been closed for more than two weeks after the coronavirus outbreak forced social distancing.
Mr Moskovich is famous among the Bondi community, and is often seen working out on the famous promenade’s outdoor gym.
Dimitri Moskovich sustained bruises to his wrist and a cut on his forehead after being pinned down by police
His arrest was also captured on an officer’s body-worn camera, however the court heard it was only switched halfway through the interaction.
In the video Mr Moskovich is reportedly heard saying to two Rose Bay Police Station constables: ‘You assaulted me for nothing… you’re abusing your power.’
The local celebrity then asks: ‘Do I have to put my arms behind my back? Can you please tell me why?’
One of the officer’s simply replies: ‘You’re under arrest’.
His lawyer Nick Hanna said his client should never have been charged.
‘His damages are extensive. In the interim however, the bare minimum NSW Police could do is issue an apology to Dimitri.’
NSW police said an internal investigation is now underway into the circumstances of arrest and conduct of the involved officers.
Mr Moskovich (pictured) is famous among the Bondi community, and is often seen working out on the famous promenade’s outdoor gym
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