Greens candidate charged after being injured in protest

A former Greens candidate who took on the Prime Minister at the last election has been charged after she was injured in an anti-Israel protest outside a Sydney business.

Former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas has been charged by police after she suffered graphic injuries during a pro-Palestine protest outside a Sydney business.

Ms Thomas was photographed with a damaged left eye with streaks of dry blood caked onto her cheek in the wake of the protest outside SEC Plating in Belmore in Sydney’s southwest on Friday.

Protesters picketed the company because of reports it provides components in jets which is used by the Israeli Defence Force, the NSW Greens said in a statement.

NSW Police attempted to disperse the group, stating the protest was not authorised, and issued a move-on order to 60 protesters.

Hannah Thomas was injured and arrested during an anti-Israel protest.

“As police attempted to arrest the protesters who were not complying with the directions, a scuffle ensued between police and protesters,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Police previously charged four people with a variety of offences.

On Sunday Ms Thomas was issued by police with a future court attendance notice and charged with hinder/resist police and refuse/fail to comply with direction to disperse.

She will appear in Bankstown Local Court on August 12.

Ms Thomas challenged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the federal seat of Grayndler at the election earlier this year.

A photo taken after the incident showed Ms Thomas standing next to an officer with visible swelling around her eye.

Hannah Thomas is seen after the protest with what appears to be visible swelling around her eye. Picture: Supplied

Ms Thomas underwent surgery and remained in hospital on Sunday.

The Greens said in a statement on Friday that NSW Police had “violently attacked and assaulted protesters” at the “peaceful picket … leaving one woman with serious facial injuries and arresting multiple demonstrators”.

“SEC Plating reportedly is involved in providing plating services for various parts used in F-35 jets,” the statement said.

“The State of Israel’s fleet of around 40 F-35 rely on the global supply chain and supplement supply from countries like Australia to continue the genocide against the Palestinian people.”

The Greens said Peter O’Brien Lawyers has been engaged to represent Ms Thomas and other protesters.

Originally published as Greens candidate charged after being injured in protest