Australian police formally accused man who ran over MP

A Victoria Police (South Australia) today filed charges against a man arrested on Monday for intentionally trampling an independent federal congresswoman.

A 65-year-old Helen Haines is in serious condition by doctors who had to amputate her leg.

The Australian public station ABC reported today, citing police sources, that the driver of the vehicle was accused of “realising a targeted attack”.

The accused will remain in custody until Wednesday, when he will appear before the Wangaratta Court, located west of Melbourne where the hit-and-run occurred.

Today, the defendant's family claimed that they had a friendship with Helen Haines for over 20 years.

The prisoner's father, Rodney Nugent, and his companion, Christine Cunningham, released a statement in which they described the congresswoman as a “deeply respected” person in the local community, expressing support.

“Helen has been our friend for more than 20 years, and what happened to her yesterday (Monday) is devastating and incomprehensible,” the defendant’s relatives declared.

Haines, which represents the district of Indi, in the state of Victoria, since 2019, was run over in front of the office he uses in Wangaratta.

The Australian authorities have not yet clarified whether the case was related to the political activity of the Member.

The 43-year-old inmate in Tarrawingee, near Wangaratta, was an active member of the environmentalist group Save our Strathbogie Forest, which opposes cutting trees.

However, the man no longer had contact with the organization since the covid-19 pandemic, according to ABC.

The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, classified the incident as purposeful, and the Interior Minister (corresponding to the Minister of Internal Affairs), Tony Burke, stated that the driver drove the car against Haines and ran her back over.

Victoria Police are coordinating the investigation with the support of the Australian Federal Police and intelligence services.