French counter-terrorism prosecution investigates arrest conditions of Gaza flotilla activists
A legal proceeding has been initiated in France concerning alleged mistreatment suffered by French citizens during their interception by Israeli forces.
French counter-terrorism prosecution investigates arrest conditions of Gaza flotilla activists
Specialised prosecutors from the PNAT decided on Friday to open a judicial investigation into acts characterised as "torture" and "war crimes". This decision follows an alert transmitted by the French government concerning the treatment of its citizens involved in the humanitarian maritime operation bound for Gaza.
The foreign affairs minister referred the matter to the prosecutor on 29 May, relying on article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This action followed revelations about the violence suffered by French participants during the boarding of their boat by the Israeli navy off Cyprus on 18 May.
Investigators from the Central Office responsible for prosecuting crimes against humanity were designated to conduct the investigation. The legal framework adopted is based on the United Nations convention against torture, adopted in New York in December 1984.
Those detained reported having suffered abuse during their three-day detention. Images circulated by an Israeli political figure showed the prisoners in a humiliating position: on their knees, wrists shackled, faces pressed to the ground.
This incident provoked a diplomatic crisis. Paris took the decision to ban far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir from its territory after he published the controversial images.
Source: franceinfo
Source: franceinfo - Justice