In a recent development, French prosecutors have dismissed a complaint accusing a French-Israeli soldier of torture and barbarism during the Gaza war. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office closed the case on 2 September, citing insufficient evidence.
The allegations stemmed from a video posted in January showing Israeli soldiers mistreating Palestinian detainees in Gaza. NGOs filed a complaint in April, claiming complicity in war crimes. However, the prosecutors found the evidence lacking to establish complicity.
Gilles Devers, a lawyer for the claimants, highlighted the soldier’s acts as psychological torture. The decision to dismiss the case has raised concerns among activists, who believe it reflects a political motive.
French citizens participating in conflicts abroad can be prosecuted under the penal code. The European Court of Human Rights has also addressed the independence of the French public prosecutor in similar cases.