SYDNEY, Sept 23 — An Australian police officer has been charged with assault over the arrest of Hannah Thomas, who suffered a serious eye injury during a protest here in June.
Thomas, 35, was arrested alongside four others at a pro-Palestine demonstration involving about 60 people outside SEC Plating on June 27, The Guardian reported.
She was hospitalised after the arrest and has since undergone two surgeries on her right eye, with a third operation scheduled soon.
The director of public prosecutions dropped all three charges against Thomas earlier this month.
NSW police confirmed a 33-year-old senior constable from the South West metropolitan region had been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The officer is due to face Bankstown local court on Nov 18, with his employment status currently under review.
Police said Thomas sustained facial injuries as officers attempted to move protesters and added that the matter had been referred to the professional standards command.
A critical incident investigation into the arrest is being conducted and is under the oversight of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
Thomas’s lawyers have said they will file civil proceedings against the state of NSW, alleging malicious prosecution, abuse of process and malfeasance in office.
Three other protesters, whose charges were also dropped, are considering civil action against NSW police after being awarded legal costs ranging from A$5,000 to A$6,500, while Thomas received almost A$22,000.
