Police Officer Charged in Connection with Hannah Thomas Protest Arrest
A New South Wales (NSW) police officer has been charged with assault following the arrest of Hannah Thomas, a former Greens candidate, during a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney on June 27. The incident resulted in serious eye injuries to Thomas and has sparked investigations into police conduct.
The Arrest and Allegations
The incident occurred outside SEC Plating in Belmore, where approximately 60 protesters gathered, alleging the company manufactured components for fighter jets used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). SEC Plating has denied these allegations. During the protest, police attempted to move the crowd, leading to a confrontation where Hannah Thomas sustained facial injuries and was hospitalized.
- Hannah Thomas, 35, required surgery for a serious eye injury following the arrest.
- She was initially charged with hindering police and refusing to comply with move-on directions, but these charges were later dropped.
- A 33-year-old senior constable has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm in connection with the incident.
Legal Proceedings and Investigations
The charged officer is scheduled to appear before Bankstown Local Court on November 18. His employment status is currently under review. A critical incident investigation, overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC), is underway to examine the circumstances of the arrest.
"This officer may have delivered the blow but he was just a foot soldier in the war waged by politicians, particularly Labor politicians, on our right to protest and protesters calling for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza," said Hannah Thomas.
Aftermath and Reactions
Following the dropping of charges against Hannah Thomas and other protesters, a magistrate ordered police to pay costs amounting to $39,435, including $21,000 to Ms. Thomas. Her lawyers are also planning to file civil proceedings against the state of NSW, alleging malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and malfeasance in office. The incident has drawn criticism of police conduct during protests and sparked debate over the right to protest.
Key Individuals and Organizations Involved
| Entity | Role/Involvement |
|---|---|
| Hannah Thomas | Former Greens candidate, injured during protest, plaintiff in planned civil suit |
| NSW Police | Charged officer with assault, conducting internal review and LECC investigation |
| Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) | Overseeing critical incident investigation |
| SEC Plating | Company at the center of the protest, denied links to manufacturing parts for IDF |
| Peter O'Brien | Hannah Thomas's lawyer |
