France investigates alleged torture of French MP and Gaza flotilla participants by Israel

France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has opened a preliminary investigation into allegations that French activists, including left-wing La France Insoumise MP Marie Mesmeur, were tortured after taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in early October 2025 while heading to the Gaza Strip to challenge the blockade.

The prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday that the investigation was launched earlier this month following two complaints concerning alleged incidents that took place between 1 and 7 October 2025. The case has been assigned to the Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity and is being investigated on suspicion of torture, as defined under the UN Convention against Torture.

The investigation was opened after Mesmeur filed a complaint with the French authorities immediately after returning from Israel, where she had been detained for five days before being deported.

In a statement, the MP said she had been abducted in international waters before being taken to Israel and unlawfully detained by Israeli forces. She alleged that she was subjected to abuses during her detention.

She added that France’s forensic medical unit assessed her injuries as causing 10 days of total incapacity for work.

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