The Australian Police investigates allegations of abuse against members of the flotilla intercepted in May

The Australian Federal Police on Monday launched an investigation into serious allegations of sexual abuse and torture allegedly committed by Israeli authorities against activists detained after participating in the last flotilla, which sought to end the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

A police spokesperson has confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the allegations and is working with a victim-centred approach, without giving further details, according to ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, met this Monday with four participants of the flotilla together with the Minister of International Development, Anne Aly, and high-level delegations from the Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“The Australian Government is committed to carrying out an independent investigation into the assaults, sexual abuse and torture suffered by the flotilla activists,” Gaza Freedom Flotilla Australia has indicated on its social networks.

Activist Juliet Lamont reported that she had been raped during her period of detention in Israel by a soldier, in addition to being beaten, tied with zip ties and suffering various types of mistreatment, such as continuous throwing of water.

Likewise, Violet CoCo reported being detained at gunpoint and pushed into a container, where she was beaten, kicked, and sexually assaulted before being thrown into a prison yard. The activist claimed that the soldiers took naked photos of her, in addition to denying her access to food, water and a lawyer.

Wong expressed his “solidarity” with the women and stated that he believed the activists’ accusations. “My main position is to always believe women when allegations of sexual assault are made,” the senator said, adding that the allegations are “terrible” and that this type of treatment is “unacceptable.”

Eleven Australians were detained as part of the flotilla that was intercepted on May 18 – made up of more than 400 people – while they were trying to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza, to deliver food, medicine and baby formula.

The Global Sumud Flotilla has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) alleging war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and other violations of International Law committed by the Israeli Army.