A Palestinian Australian man is suing New South Wales police, alleging he was punched in the face and falsely imprisoned during an anti-Isaac Herzog protest in Sydney in February.
Eyad Shadid has launched a civil case in the NSW district court, claiming he was assaulted, battered, and falsely imprisoned by officers near Sydney’s town hall. He also alleges misfeasance in public office and malicious prosecution by NSW police.
Mr Shadid, a member of the Palestine Action Group, states he was looking for his mother during the protest on 9 February when he found himself between a group of Muslim men praying and advancing police. He alleges he told officers to stop because the men were praying, after which he was dragged to the ground, punched, and handcuffed.
He was subsequently charged with failing to comply with a police direction and resisting arrest. These charges were dropped in May, and Mr Shadid was awarded costs after the police prosecutor agreed officers had not given him a move-on direction.
The February protest is currently the subject of a police watchdog investigation following allegations of widespread police brutality. The NSW premier, Chris Minns, and NSW police have declined to comment on Mr Shadid's case as it is before the court.