Thirty-seven French nationals were abducted in international waters by Israeli occupation forces.

On Friday, France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) opened a preliminary investigation into torture and war crimes committed by Israel against members of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

RELATED:

Appalling Treatment of Sumud Flotilla Activists Is Unacceptable: Canadian PM Carney

Thirty-seven French nationals were among the participants in the humanitarian mission, which was intercepted in international waters near Cyprus by Israeli occupation forces.

The preliminary investigation was launched based on information submitted by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Its objective is to determine whether members of the flotilla were victims of torture, in accordance with the definition set forth in the New York Convention of Dec. 10, 1984, and whether war crimes were committed.

Investigators from the Central Office for the Fight Against Crimes Against Humanity, Genocide and War Crimes (OCLCH) will be responsible for conducting the inquiry.

On May 14, approximately 50 ships set sail from Turkey with the aim of breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has been under constant attack by Zionist forces for the past two years.

“Israeli authorities announced the arrest of 430 activists aboard the ships. According to the Israeli human rights organization Adalah, which is providing them with legal representation and defense, they were forcibly taken to Israel and subsequently imprisoned in Ktziot Prison,” Le Monde recalled, specifying that the Sumud activists were deported on May 21.

On May 29, Barrot referred the matter to the judiciary after receiving testimony from French members of the Gaza Flotilla regarding mistreatment during their temporary detention in Israel.

Alongside his decision to refer the case to the courts, Barrot also announced sanctions against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who is banned from entering French territory

When the events occurred, this Zionist official posted a video on social media in which flotilla activists appeared handcuffed, kneeling, and being humiliated.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – Le Monde

IN THIS ARTICLE