Muhammad Aulia, Jakarta – Nine Indonesian activists who were detained by Israeli authorities after attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza have filed a criminal complaint with Indonesia's Attorney General's Office, alleging kidnapping and abuse during their four-day detention.
The activists, who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, submitted the complaint on Wednesday, accompanied by former Attorney General Marzuki Darusman and lawyers from Themis Indonesia.
"We came today to report what we experienced after being kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel for four days," Herman Budianto, one of the volunteers, told reporters at the Attorney General's Office in Jakarta.
The complaint seeks to hold Israeli authorities accountable for alleged human rights violations and what the activists described as unlawful actions in international waters. Herman said the move was also intended to demonstrate support for Palestinian independence.
The group submitted photographs of injuries, medical reports and detailed accounts from each of the nine Indonesian volunteers as evidence.
"We have collected evidence, including photos of our injuries, medical examinations and complete chronological accounts of what happened," Herman said, adding that the case's next steps would be left to Indonesian prosecutors.
Marzuki Darusman said the activists had been arrested while sailing in international waters and argued that Indonesia's new Criminal Code provides a legal basis for prosecuting serious human rights violations committed abroad against Indonesian citizens.
"Indonesia's new legal framework recognizes universal jurisdiction, allowing the prosecution of human rights violations committed outside Indonesia when they involve Indonesian citizens," Marzuki said.
He cited Article 6 of the new Criminal Code, saying it provides prosecutors with authority to pursue cases under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
"This complaint is part of an international public protest and an effort to seek justice through legal means," he said, urging the Attorney General's Office to begin what he described as a new but legally supported process.
The activists' lawyer, Shaleh Al Ghifari, said Indonesian law also recognizes the passive nationality principle, under which crimes committed abroad against Indonesian citizens can be prosecuted domestically if they are also criminal offenses under Indonesian law.
He acknowledged, however, that any legal action would also require diplomatic support from Indonesia's Foreign Ministry.
"We have submitted nine separate complaints from each volunteer. Some were subjected to electric shocks, some had their heads stepped on, others were beaten, kicked, and some also experienced harassment," Shaleh said.
He added that volunteers from other countries were pursuing similar legal action in their respective jurisdictions.
According to Shaleh, the complaint names Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Israeli government and members of the Israeli military.
The nine Indonesians were among hundreds of international activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza when Israeli forces intercepted the vessels near Cyprus in May. The group was detained for several days before being released and deported to Turkey.
Indonesia's Foreign Ministry at the time condemned the treatment of the volunteers as "inhumane" and said their interception constituted a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Jakarta, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel, worked through third countries including Turkey to secure the activists' release.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/nine-indonesians-sue-israel-over-gaza-flotilla-detention-alleged-abus