Police probe declared after Greens candidate injured in anti-Israel rally

NSW Police has declared a critical incident investigation after a former Greens candidate who ran against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was seriously injured while being arrested at an anti-Israel rally.

Pictured is Hannah Thomas. Picture: Tim Hunter.

NSW Police has declared a critical incident investigation after a former Greens candidate who ran against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was seriously injured while being arrested at an anti-Israel rally.

The Daily Telegraph first revealed on Friday that Hannah Thomas, who ran as the Greens candidate for Grayndler last federal election, had suffered serious facial injuries at the protest against a company allegedly linked to Israel’s defence force in Belmore.

On Monday, NSW Police announced a critical incident investigation would take place into her arrest and injuries.

Hannah Thomas was arrested during an anti-Israel protest.

Former greens candidate Hannah Thomas after a protest in Belmore, Sydney. Picture: Supplied

This type of probe is called whenever an operation causes a death or a serious injury.

The agency declared the investigation when Ms Thomas’s lawyers handed over medical documents detailing the extent of her injuries on Monday.

“These were independently reviewed by the NSW Police Medical Officer, who determined the level of injury warranted a critical incident declaration,” a NSW Police spokesman said.

“A Level 2 critical incident was declared at 3:25pm by Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden, Commander South West Metropolitan Region, under Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) guidelines.

Hannah Thomas, ran as a Greens Candidate for Grayndler. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“A critical incident team from Campbelltown City Police Area Command will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and oversighted by the LECC.”

Doctors initially told Ms Thomas that she may lose vision in the affected eye.

She remains in Bankstown hospital, but the impacts on her vision long-term cannot properly be assessed at this stage because the injuries are so severe.

It comes after NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson urged NSW Police to declare a critical incident earlier on Monday.

Ms Higginson also wants charges against Ms Thomas withdrawn.

“What occurred in Belmore was not policing, it was punishment,” Ms Higginson wrote in a letter.

“A member of our community was (allegedly) brutally assaulted by uniformed officers while engaging in peaceful political expression.

“This has happened in a state where you and your government have continuously expressed intolerance for protest and embodied police to suppress protest through arbitrary, dangerous laws and sweeping police powers.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “I genuinely hope that she’s back on her feet as soon as possible, and she has a full recovery.”

Ms Thomas has been charged with resisting arrest and will face court in August.

Four others were also charged over the protest and remain before the courts.

The rally took place outside SEC Plating, which allegedly supplies parts to Israeli fighter jets.

Originally published as Police probe declared after Greens candidate injured in anti-Israel rally