Russia launches High Court challenge to Australian government's embassy decision

Russia has launched a High Court challenge against the federal government's decision to stop it building a new embassy next to Parliament House.

Last week, federal parliament rushed through new laws to strip Russia of a lease on a block of land in Canberra.

It said the new building would pose an intelligence and security risk.

Now Russia has filed a case in the High Court challenging the legality of that decision.

A Russian diplomat has also defied the new law by squatting illegally on the block over the last week.