Rome Prosecutor's Office Acquires Ben Gvir Video: Investigation into Attempted Murder and Sexual Violence
Footage of Israeli minister Ben Gvir mocking Flotilla activists will be added to the Rome Prosecutor's Office file. Lawyers announce new complaints with allegations of additional crimes.
Ben Gvir Video on File: Rome Prosecutor's Office Investigates Flotilla
The video in which Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir mocks activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs will be added to the investigation file of the Rome Prosecutor's Office, according to ANSA Cronaca. The footage, filmed in the port of Ashdod and published Wednesday on the minister's social media accounts, is now the subject of an inquiry launched by Rome magistrates.
The file will also include statements from 29 activists who have already returned to Italy — including M5S parliamentarian Dario Carotenuto — who will be questioned by law enforcement. The Flotilla's legal team has meanwhile filed a complaint at Piazzale Clodio alleging the crime of unlawful detention.
The lawyers are announcing an addendum to the complaint in the coming days, after gathering testimony from those who were aboard the vessels at the time of the boarding by Israeli authorities, which also involved the use of firearms. The new document to be made available to prosecutors could include additional criminal charges, including attempted murder and sexual violence.
Open Proceedings: the Avila and Abukeshek Cases
Several files relating to previous Flotilla missions have been open in Rome for some time. In the latest proceeding, launched in relation to events on 29 April — when 22 vessels were boarded — prosecutor Stefano Opilio is contesting the charge of unlawful detention. The proceeding is currently against unknown persons and is based on at least three complaints and some testimonies transmitted by the activists' lawyers.
The magistrates' attention is particularly focused on the positions of Thiago de Avila and Saif Abukeshek Abdelrahim, who were detained for several days in prison in Israel and subsequently expelled. Both were aboard vessels flying the Italian flag when they were taken by Israeli security forces.
The legal team assisting Abdelrahim Abukeshek in Italy has filed a complaint reconstructing what happened on the night of 29 April. The activist was aboard the vessel Eros 1 "in international waters off the island of Crete" when it was "approached by a military vessel of the Israeli army". The complaint states that "unidentified military personnel proceeded to forcibly remove Abukeshek and other crew members".
Autumn Mission: Letter Rogatory to Tel Aviv
For the autumn mission, magistrates are proceeding on charges of torture, unlawful detention, and damage with danger of sinking. In this context, the Prosecutor's Office has already requested authorisation for an international letter rogatory to be sent to the authorities in Tel Aviv.
Source: ANSA Cronaca