KUALA LUMPUR – Hannah Thomas, the daughter of former Malaysian attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, is reportedly at risk of losing sight in her right eye following a clash with Australian police during a pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney.
The 35-year-old former Australian Greens party election candidate sustained serious facial injuries during her arrest outside SEC Plating in Belmore last Friday morning (Australian time), where demonstrators had gathered to protest the company’s alleged ties to the Israeli military.
According to ABC News, police said officers issued a move-on order citing the protest as “unauthorised”, and attempted to arrest several protesters
Hannah, who migrated to Australia in 2009 as an international student, recently contested Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s seat of Grayndler under the Greens banner.
Her campaign focused heavily on Palestine solidarity and criticism of Albanese’s foreign and domestic policies, particularly on Gaza and immigration.
A video from the scene showed a scuffle, during which Hannah was taken to the ground by police. She was later seen with severe swelling around her right eye and was taken to Bankstown Hospital.
“The prognosis provided to family earlier was that they could not tell the extent of her injuries until there was a full examination because the swelling was too severe and that it was possible she may lose vision in that eye,” NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson told The Guardian.
Eyewitnesses quoted by ABC News claimed Hannah was struck in the face as officers tried to remove her from the protest. One described seeing blood “gushing” from her face, and her right eye “completely closed”.
New South Wales police said the use of force is being recorded and reviewed, though it is not currently being investigated as a critical incident. No charges have been laid against Hannah, ABC News reported.
Four other protesters were arrested and charged, including one individual accused of stealing a police body-worn camera. All were granted conditional bail and are expected to appear in Bankstown Local Court on July 15.
The Guardian reported that Hannah was scheduled for surgery, with doctors assessing whether the injuries pose a long-term risk to her vision or involve broken facial bones.
Federal Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi described the incident as “atrocious” and pledged her full support:
“Hannah’s health is my top priority. Once she is able to consider next steps, she has my full support in responding to this shocking assault and seeking accountability.”
Higginson, who spoke to those arrested in a legal capacity, described the police action as “brutal and excessive”, and said Hannah was a victim of police violence during a peaceful demonstration. – June 27, 2025