Spanish court recommends government to file Mavi Marmara case at ICC

Judge Jose de la Mata of Spain’s National Court has announced the end of the investigation into the attack by Israeli commandos on the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara aid flotilla, and has recommended the government to refer it to the International Criminal Court. The judge told reporters on Thursday that he was forced to close the case due to Spain’s legislative reforms in March last which restrict courts’ powers in international trials.

He said that he would send all documents involving the case to the Ministry of Justice in order for the Spanish government to file its complaint to the ICC.

“I will be able to reopen the trial if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Israeli ministers set foot on Spanish soil,” he added.

Israeli forces attacked six civilian ships while the humanitarian aid flotilla was in international waters on 31 May, 2010 trying to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. Nine Turkish citizens were killed and 30 others were wounded, one of whom died nearly four years after the attack as a result of his wounds.