Freed Gaza Flotilla Activists Allege Israeli Abuse

By Anna Uras, Rami Ayyub and Layli Foroudi

ROME/JERUSALEM/PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) – Activists released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organizers said on Friday, with several hospitalized with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape.

Israel’s prison service denied the allegations, and Reuters was not able to verify them independently.

Germany said some of its nationals had been injured and that some accusations were “serious,” without giving further details. A legal source in Italy said prosecutors there were investigating possible crimes