Paris, France. France has asked for the public prosecutor to investigate the treatment of French nationals who were part of a recent activist flotilla heading for Gaza, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Friday.
Investigation requested
Based on a report from the French consul general in Turkey, Barrot said he was informed of sexual violence, exposure to the cold, beatings and repeated humiliation of French nationals. He said these acts were likely to constitute criminal offenses and that he had referred the matter to the public prosecutor.
Allegations from organisers and lawyers
Organisers of the flotilla, which was detained last week during an attempt to bring aid to Gaza, said activists were subjected to abuse, with several hospitalized with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape. The activists have since been released.
The lawyers for the French activists said they would file a separate complaint over the violence their clients were subjected to, including humiliation, rape and acts of torture.
Response from lawyers
The lawyers declined an invitation from Barrot’s cabinet to discuss the matter. In a statement, they said the minister’s remarks would not make them forget that the French government had supported the state of Israel since the beginning of what they described as the genocide.
