Bondi strongman Dimitri Moskovich arrested in dramatic scenes

Bondi strongman Dimitri Moskovich says police left him with cuts and marks after he was arrested in dramatic scenes on Sunday as some Sydney councils announced they would reopen beaches this week. SEE THE VIDEO

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Bondi strongman Dimitri Moskovich was arrested in dramatic scenes at Bondi Beach on Sunday as some Sydney beaches are set to reopen for exercise from Monday.

Popular on the famous strip for his feats of strength at Bondi’s outdoor gym, a shirtless Mr Moskovich was pinned to the ground by two uniformed officers who claim he became “quarrelsome and argumentative”.

“About 3.30pm, police approached the 54-year-old man after noticing him walking through fencing near the rock platform at Ben Buckler Point, allegedly contravening the local government signs stating the area was closed,” police said in a statement.

Dimitri Moskovich is pinned down by police at Ben Buckler reserve on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

Dimitri Moskovich shows proof of his injuries after the arrest. Picture: Supplied

And the cut to Mr Moskovich’s forehead. Picture: Supplied

“Police attempted to speak to the man, however he walked away. As police approached him again it is alleged he became quarrelsome and argumentative.

“He was arrested and taken to Waverley Police Station and is currently assisting with inquiries.”

Footage of the arrest shows a dozen people standing around filming the incident as Mr Moskovich has his hands pulled behind his back.

On Sunday night Mr Moskovich told The Daily Telegraph he spent “five hours” in custody at Waverley Police Station before being charged and released.

He said he had not breached any public health order because the rocks at Ben Buckler were not off limits. He also said he was not in a restricted area when spoken to by police before they became “heavy-handed” and pinned him down as he walked home for lunch.

Police approached Mr Moskovich for allegedly contravening local government signs stating the area was closed. Picture: Kristi Miller

“I said ‘hey guys how are you?’,” Mr Moskovich said. “I was on my way home to have lunch with my wife, it’s Russian Orthodox Easter.

“They jumped on me like crazy … I said: ‘Don’t put handcuffs on me I’m not a criminal’.”

Mr Moskovich said officers left him with a cut on his forehead and cuffed his wrist so tightly it left a mark.

“The silly cop was doing everything to try and hurt me ... pulling a cuff into my bone,” he said.

Mr Moskovich was charged with fail to comply with terms of notice erected by council and resist arrest.

Swimmers, sunbakers and surfers continue to flout social distancing rules, hopping over barriers to enter the water, including at Bondi on Sunday.

Police fined another 45 people in 24 hours for breaching coronavirus isolation rules.

It comes as some of Sydney’s eastern beaches will be reopened on Monday to allow for exercise, but the state government is pleading for people not to “get too excited”.

Bondi strongman Dimitri Moskovich at the outdoor gym along the famous strip. Picture: Kristi Miller

Randwick Council will allow exercisers to work up a sweat on Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches for the first time since they were closed on March 28.

“Measures will be in place to ensure the beaches are accessed for exercise purposes only including sand jogging and walking, swimming, surfing and other exercise activities,” the council announced on Sunday.

Mayor Danny Said argued it was time to give people better access to open space. “Living along the coast, I know how important our beaches are to the mental and physical health of so many in the community,” he said.

Surfers ordered to stop surfing by lifeguards at Bondi Beach on Sunday. Picture: Monique Harmer

At neighbouring Waverley Council, Mayor Paula Masselos said there were plans to allow surfers back into the water at Bondi.

“The Waverley LGA is a hotspot for coronavirus cases and we have no intention of reopening our beaches at this time. The council is, however, looking at ways to provide managed access to the water for the sole purpose of ocean swimming and surfing for exercise,” she said.

Canada Bay Council had considered closing the popular Bay Run — teeming with people at Drummoyne on Sunday — but councillor Marian Parnaby said most people appeared to be adhering to social distancing.

People pictured exercising on The Bay Run in Drummoyne on Sunday. Picture: Monique Harmer.

The state recorded 21 new coronavirus cases on Sunday and Health Minister Brad Hazzard warned: “Let’s not get too excited.”

“We’re barely halfway through the first quarter of this very long game,” he said.

Health modelling revealed the people of NSW had likely saved 700 lives by diligent social distancing.