The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, has stated that France has referred the accusations of abuse against French activists detained on board the Sumud humanitarian flotilla to the prosecutor’s office, after receiving reports that may constitute criminal offenses, reports Anadolu.

Speaking to France Inter radio, Barrot said that he has requested a report from the French consul general in Turkey after the detention of French citizens by Israeli forces. security.

“Based on a report I requested from our consul general in Turkey, which detailed sexual violence, exposure to cold, repeated beatings and humiliation of French citizens, all of which constitute criminal offenses, I decided yesterday to refer the case to the public prosecutor under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,” Barrot said.

“This case is now in the hands of the justice system,” he added. him.

The French minister also said that he had earlier summoned Israel’s ambassador to France after learning of what he described as “unacceptable actions” by Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

After that meeting, Barrot recalled that he had decided to ban Ben-Gvir from entering French territory.

According to him, France’s priority remains guaranteeing the safety of its citizens abroad. the country, including those taking part in actions like the flotilla mission, which he said Paris has “very strongly opposed”.

He stressed that the decision to refer charges to prosecutors was based on information provided by French officials who met with the activists after their detention.

“Now it is up to the justice system to decide whether or not to initiate proceedings,” he said.

Last Monday, the army Israeli attacked in international waters the global humanitarian flotilla Sumud, headed towards Gaza. Live broadcasts from the flotilla showed Israeli naval forces detaining each vessel.

Later, a video released by Israel showing Ben-Gvir walking among detained activists who were kneeling in tight formations and with their hands tied, sparked outrage around the world.

In the footage, Ben-Gvir is seen waving an Israeli flag and taunting the detainees.

After his release. of them, humanitarian aid volunteers from 41 countries, including 85 Turkish citizens who were part of the flotilla, were evacuated to Turkey.

Source: prizrenpost