“I am confident that Ms. Thomas was struck in the face by a male police officer, resulting in significant and severe damage to her eye… Furthermore, we conclude that Ms. Thomas was an undeserving target of unwarranted police violence and excessive force, actions that were utterly and wholly unjustifiable.”

Hannah Thomas was injured in her right eye while being arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in Sydney in June. Source: Instagram / Hannah Thomas

Her legal team say they have watched all available footage of the incident and object to claims made by senior police officers, which they argue downplay its gravity.

“The mindset of a police officer resorting to such needless aggression is beyond comprehension, but the circumstances and timing are deeply telling,” O’Brien remarked.

Protesters gather during a rally at SEC Plating in Belmore. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts

A NSW Police spokesperson said the force cannot comment on ongoing investigations.