Gaza Flotilla Activist Files Criminal Complaint in Israel Alleging Sexual Assault During Detention

“The complaint alleges sexual assault during Israeli detention and calls for an independent investigation, while Israeli authorities categorically deny the accusations.”

A German activist who participated in a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza has filed a criminal complaint in Israel alleging that she was sexually assaulted by female prison guards while in Israeli detention, according to legal documents submitted by her lawyers. Israeli prison authorities have rejected the allegations, describing them as entirely unsubstantiated.

Anna Liedtke, 25, alleges that the assault occurred while she was being held for five days after Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters on Oct. 8 last year. According to her complaint, she was subjected to multiple strip searches during her detention and alleges that one of those searches escalated into sexual violence.

Liedtke said the alleged assault was carried out by female prison guards in a detention area separated from a corridor by a partially drawn curtain. She further alleged that male guards were present nearby and could be heard laughing during the incident. She believes the assault may have been observed or recorded, although no evidence supporting that claim has been publicly presented.

In interviews accompanying the filing of the complaint, Liedtke said she believes the alleged abuse formed part of a broader effort to intimidate activists participating in humanitarian missions supporting Palestinians in Gaza. She said the experience was intended to discourage campaigners from continuing their advocacy.

Following her release, Liedtke said she disclosed the alleged assault to friends and medical professionals within days. She later became one of the first participants in the flotilla to publicly allege rape while in Israeli detention. According to the report, more than a dozen other flotilla participants have reported allegations of sexual assault, although most have remained anonymous.

The criminal complaint has been submitted to several Israeli authorities, including the Attorney General, the legal adviser to the Israel Prison Service (IPS), the Department for the Investigation of Prison Guards (Yahas), and the commander of Givon Prison. The filing requests a formal criminal investigation into the allegations.

Liedtke’s legal representative, Muna Haddad of the Palestinian human rights organization Adalah, said the complaint seeks both accountability for the alleged assault and an official investigation into the conduct described by her client.

According to Haddad, the case also aims to examine how Israeli authorities respond to allegations of abuse occurring within the prison system. She argued that investigating the complaint is necessary to address what she described as a broader culture of impunity surrounding alleged mistreatment of detainees.

Haddad further alleged that sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners has been documented over recent years and argued that similar conduct is now affecting foreign nationals participating in solidarity campaigns. Those assertions reflect the position of the complainant and her legal team.

Israeli authorities have rejected the allegations.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military said the armed forces reject claims of abuse by personnel involved in intercepting the flotilla and referred questions concerning detention conditions to the Israel Prison Service.

In a separate statement, an Israel Prison Service spokesperson said the allegations contained in media inquiries were “categorically denied” and described them as entirely unsubstantiated. The spokesperson also rejected allegations of rape, sexual assault or systematic abuse by prison personnel.

The complaint has been formally submitted, but no public announcement has been made regarding the opening of a criminal investigation by Israeli authorities. It remains unclear whether prosecutors or prison oversight bodies will proceed with further inquiries into the allegations.

The case comes amid continued international scrutiny of detention conditions related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, with human rights organizations, governments and international institutions continuing to monitor allegations concerning the treatment of detainees. Israeli authorities have repeatedly stated that claims of abuse are investigated where credible evidence is presented while denying allegations of systematic mistreatment.

The allegations contained in Liedtke’s complaint have not been independently verified, and no judicial findings have been made regarding the claims. The legal proceedings remain at the complaint stage as Israeli authorities consider the filing.