Two Isreali nationals questioned over alleged "war crimes" during Tomorrowland
The unnamed individuals had been referred to Belgian authorities by a pro-Palestine campaign group, claiming they had been “responsible for grave international crimes"
Two Israeli nationals were detained and questioned after attending last weekend's Tomorrowland, after being accused of war crimes by a pro-Palestine group.
According to The Guardian, Belgian police said they had recieved a tip off alleging that the two unnamed individuals had engaged in “serious violations of international humanitarian law” while serving the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza.
The information had come from Belgian pro-Palestine campaign group the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), who last week claimed that two Isreali men had been seen at the festival in Boom, Belgium, waving a Givati Brigade flag.
Formed in 1947, the Givati Brigade is one of five IDF infantry brigades; the HRF claims the unit has been implicated within a number of serious violations of human rights since it was founded—including attacks on Palestinian civilians and hospitals, the use of torture and forced displacement.
HRF then filed a legal complaint with Belgian police, accusing the two Isreali citizens had been “responsible for grave international crimes”.
Belgian federal prosecutors office then says it took the decision to arrest the individuals after concluding that it has extraterritorial jurisdiction over alleged war crimes, the two individuals were then interviewed by officers.
“Following these interviews, they were released,” the statement adds. “No further information will be given at this stage of the investigation.”
[Via: The Guardian]
Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter
