Evikoya Petrov and two Russian couriers, Sydney airport

1954 - Mrs Petrov decides to stay in Australia. Russians try to force her to leave. Mrs Evikoya Petrov, whose Russian diplomat husband sought sanctuary in Australia, herself accepted political asylum just before the airliner in which she was to have travelled to Moscow took off from Darwin. Accompanied by Soviet couriers, Mrs Petrov was practically forced aboard the airliner in Sydney - in spite of demonstrations by a vast crowd. When the plane landed at Darwin, it was announced that Mrs Petrov had asked to be allowed to stay in Australia - she had an interview with the captain of the airliner. On arrival at Darwin the couriers were searched and relieved of their firearms. Mrs. Petrov lost one of her shoes in the struggle at the airport. It has now been announced that Russia has severed diplomatic relations with Australia. Photo shows weeping bitterly Mrs. Petrov is dragged towards the waiting aircraft at Mascot Airport (Sydney) by two powerful Russians. When she arrived at Darwin she asked to be allowed to stay in Australia

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