Arabic version: استدعاء قادة في نيو ساوث ويلز للشهادة في قضية احتجاج تاون هول

According to ABC News, NSW Premier Chris Minns, Police Minister Yasmin Catley and Tourism Minister Steve Kamper have been served subpoenas to give evidence on March 8 in a criminal case arising from a February 9 protest outside Sydney Town Hall. The hearing is scheduled five days before the state election on March 13.

More than a dozen demonstrators face charges, including assaulting police, over the rally opposing the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Defence solicitor Nick Hanna said lawyers want to question the politicians about their involvement in planning the police operation, which the defence claims was unlawful.

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan, and the chiefs of staff of the premier and police minister have also been subpoenaed. Mr Hanna referred to comments by Mr Minns at a February 12 press conference, when the premier said: “We can’t blame the police for doing what we asked them to do.”

The case is expected to examine police access to a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration, made under a post-Bondi Beach attack law later ruled unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal, and a Major Events Declaration made by Mr Kamper. Those subpoenaed may seek to have the subpoenas set aside. Police have withdrawn 10 of 30 original prosecutions, while a trial involving at least 16 protesters is expected in July 2027.