France Initiates Legal Investigation into Alleged Abuse of Gaza Flotilla Activists

By Euronews

Published on 29/05/2026 – 18:26 GMT+2

France has initiated a formal legal investigation into the alleged mistreatment of its citizens aboard the Gaza flotilla. The inquiry, announced by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Friday, follows an official report detailing incidents of sexual violence, physical abuse, and severe humiliation reported by detained individuals of French nationality.

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“Based on documentation provided by our Consul General in Turkey, which thoroughly documented sexual assaults, exposure to extreme cold, beatings, and sustained humiliations of French nationals—acts that may constitute criminal violations under French law,” stated Barrot.

“I formally referred this case to the Public Prosecutor yesterday (Thursday) under Article 40 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The matter is now being escalated to French judicial authorities for further examination.”

Italy, Ireland, and Spain had previously called on the European Union to impose sanctions on Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir after publicizing a video showing detained flotilla activists restrained at Ashdod Port.

Global condemnation escalated following the publication of footage revealing activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla—who launched a maritime demonstration from Turkey to protest Israel’s restrictions on Gaza—forced into subjugate positions with hands bound.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy forcefully condemned the treatment as “unacceptable,” and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain described it as “morally indefensible,” both demanding formal intergovernmental accountability.

Following Israel’s 2007 blockade of Gaza, the territory remains under exclusive control of Israeli authorities, limiting passage of resources. During the 2023 Gaza conflict initiated by Hamas’s assault on southern Israel, severe humanitarian conditions prevailed, including intermittent suspensions of essential aid shipments.

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