France has asked prosecutor to investigate treatment of its nationals on activist flotilla
Investigation into Alleged Abuse of French Nationals on Gaza Flotilla
PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) - 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.
Details of the Alleged Abuse
"Based on a report I requested from our Consul General in Turkey, who informed me of sexual violence, exposure to the cold, beatings, and repeated humiliation of French nationals, all of these acts are likely to constitute criminal offenses (and) I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor," Barrot told France Inter radio.
Reports from Flotilla Organisers
Organisers of a flotilla that 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.
Legal Response and Government Relations
The lawyers for the French flotilla activists said that they would file a separate complaint over the violence their clients were subjected to, including humiliation, rape and acts of torture.
They declined an invitation from Barrot's cabinet to discuss the matter, saying in a statement that "the buzz from the minister's declarations will not make us forget that the French government has supported the state of Israel since the beginning of the genocide."
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by John Irish, Dominique Vidalon and Layli Foroudi; Editing by Makini Brice)
