Hannah Thomas nabbed, hurt in pro-Palestine protest in Australia

Summary

• Hannah Thomas, daughter of former attorney-general Tommy Thomas, was hospitalised with facial injuries following her arrest at a pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney.

• Australian media reported she may require surgery, though police are not treating the incident as a critical case. No charges are being brought against her.

Hannah Thomas, daughter of former attorney-general Tommy Thomas, has been hospitalised after suffering injuries while being arrested, according to Australian media reports.

She was among five protestors arrested over a pro-Palestinian protest outside SEC Plating in Belmore in Sydney’s south-west this morning. The company is accused of supplying components for jets flown by the Israeli Defence Force.

A report by ABC News quoted the New South Wales police saying, without naming her, that she had suffered facial injuries and was taken to Bankstown Hospital for treatment.

The report also claimed video footage showed some of the protestors engaged in a scuffle with the police.

“A woman in a black coat is then led away from the group and falls to the ground with a police officer.

“Police can be heard saying ‘Get up now’, and the woman can be heard replying: ‘I’m trying’.

“A photo from after the incident appears to show Ms Thomas standing beside an officer with a swollen eye,” the report stated.

The report also cited eyewitnesses claiming that she appeared to have been injured around her right eye, and added that she is believed to be scheduled for surgery today.

“It’s believed doctors have been investigating whether her injuries could threaten her vision, and if she has any broken bones in her face,” the report stated.

Police reportedly told ABC News the incident is not being formally investigated as a “critical incident”, but will be recorded and reviewed as is standard practice for any use of force.

No charges are being pressed against her, though four other protestors are being charged for various alleged offences.

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Hannah had migrated to Australia in 2009 and later acquired Australian citizenship.

She contested under the Green Party in the Australian federal election in May in a six-cornered fight against incumbent Grayndler MP and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Though she lost the election, she told Malaysiakini in an interview that she has no regrets and will continue to champion the Palestinian cause.

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