World News
Leaked bodycam video shows New South Wales officer boasting about punching Sydney protester
The footage emerged as Australian authorities dropped charges against four demonstrators arrested during a February rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
The short version
- Leaked police body-worn camera footage shows an officer telling colleagues he punched a demonstrator in the head while the individual was down during a Sydney protest on February 9.
- The video surfaced as New South Wales police dropped charges against four of the 30 protesters arrested following the demonstration.
- The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission is investigating allegations of police brutality under Operation Makalu, and a state lawmaker has formally referred the new footage to the watchdog.
Key facts
- Leaked police bodycam footage shows a male New South Wales officer stating he punched a protester in the head after the individual was down during a February 9 demonstration at Sydney Town Hall.[The Guardian]
- The protest took place during a visit to Sydney by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.[The Guardian]
- Police have withdrawn charges against four of the 30 protesters initially charged after the event.[The Guardian]
- The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) is examining police conduct during the protest under an inquiry named Operation Makalu.[The Guardian]
- New South Wales Greens MP Sue Higginson referred the newly published video to the oversight watchdog.[The Guardian]
- In April, the Court of Appeal ruled that the public assembly restriction declaration law enforced during the rally was unconstitutional.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- New South Wales police declined to comment on the video, citing the ongoing watchdog investigation.[The Guardian]