Benjamin Netanyahu accused in Gaza flotilla complaint

Nine Indonesians detained while trying to take aid to Gaza in May filed a complaint against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, alleging crimes against humanity, their lawyer Kafin Muhammad said.

The men were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israel. More than 400 other activists were also detained, some for days.

Kafin said the group asked Indonesia's Attorney General to investigate Israel for offences including piracy at sea and crimes against humanity. He said Indonesia's criminal code gives the country's courts “universal jurisdiction” over cases involving crimes committed beyond its borders.

The complaint named Netanyahu as Israel's commander-in-chief and included testimony from volunteers about abuses they said they suffered during detention by Israeli authorities, Kafin said.

A spokesman for the Attorney General's office did not reply to AFP's request for comment. Countries including France, Italy and Australia have opened judicial investigations into Israel's treatment of flotilla activists.

Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, which has been under blockade since 2007.