Lawyer for man accused of punching Tobruk the police horse at Sydney anti-lockdown protest complains about his client's human rights as he fails to appear in court
A man who allegedly punched a police horse at Sydney's anti-lockdown protest has failed to appear in court - as his lawyer claimed he was unable to speak to the accused in custody before the hearing.
Kristian Pulkownik, 33, allegedly struck NSW Police horse Tobruk in the nose as his rider was managing thousands of protesters who marched in the city's CBD on Saturday as part of the 'Rally 4 Freedom march'.
His lawyer Tony Nikolic said he had been unable to contact his client before his scheduled Sydney court appearance on Tuesday.
Mr Nikolic said his client's mother, who has a heart condition, was 'worried sick' about her son's well-being.
NSW Police posted a photo of Kristian Pulkownik, 33, allegedly punching police horse Tobruk during Saturday's protest. He faces four charges for affray, animal cruelty, joining an unlawful assembly and failing to comply with a Covid-19 direction
A court officer confirmed Pulkownik's case had been set down for the day and that he was 'unavailable' for his court appearance via video link.
'We've made a number of attempts with corrective , we knew he was at Surry Hills cells,' Mr Nikolic said outside court.
'What was most unfortunate was they were giving us absolutely no information, actually hung up on us. We found that quite astounding given the gravity of the alleged offending.
'The fact that a lawyer can't get access to a client at the behest of his mother's request, his mother is worried sick - she has a heart condition... that's not only a concern for justice in Australia but also human rights.'
The rally on Saturday moved from Sydney's Victoria Park to Town Hall where an unmasked crowd broke through a police barrier and continued down George St.
Pulkownik faces four charges for affray, animal cruelty, joining an unlawful assembly and failing to comply with a Covid-19 direction.
The accused approached the mounted policeman during the chaos and allegedly struck the 13-year-old thoroughbred, which emerged uninjured
Troop Horse Tobruk and his trooper Senior Constable Patrick Condon on Monday. Kristian Pulkownik, 33, allegedly struck NSW Police horse Tobruk in the nose
Tobruk pictured recovering in his stable on Saturday evening. The accused allegedly used unlawful violence against the horse and faces four separate charges
Some protesters at Saturday's rally violently clashed with police, sparking ugly scenes that shocked the nation
Court documents allege the 33-year-old used unlawful violence against Tobruk 'by conduct such that a person of reasonable firmness if present at the scene would have feared for their safety'.
Greater Sydney has been locked down for the past four weeks, with residents only able to leave home with a reasonable excuse.
The lawyer sought orders allowing for immediate telephone contact with Pulkownik before his next appearance on Thursday where he is expected to apply for bail.