Madrid (QNN)- A Spanish political group has filed a criminal complaint against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over war crimes after the illegal detention of a Spanish peacekeeper in southern Lebanon.
The complaint, submitted to the Audiencia Nacional by the party Iustitia Europa, marks the first legal action of its kind linked to the incident. The group says Israeli forces intercepted a logistics convoy belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) earlier this week.
According to the filing, Israeli troops stopped the UN convoy and forcibly removed a Spanish sergeant from his vehicle. The complaint states that soldiers detained him for about an hour and subjected him to physical violence and degrading treatment before releasing him.
The group argues that the soldier was operating under UN protection, which guarantees the safety and freedom of movement of peacekeeping forces. It describes the incident as a deliberate and serious violation of international law.
Iustitia Europa says the soldier gained release only after intense diplomatic pressure from Spain.
The complaint names both Netanyahu and Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israeli army. The group argues that both leaders held effective command over the forces involved and failed to prevent the abuses or hold those responsible accountable.
Luis María Pardo, leader of Iustitia Europa, said the group filed the case due to the seriousness of the incident and political silence in Spain. He said Israeli forces of detained, assaultied, and coerced a peacekeeping soldier in violation of international law.
The complaint argues that Spanish courts have jurisdiction to investigate the case. It cites the principle of passive personality, since the victim is a Spanish national, and universal jurisdiction, given the gravity of the l crimes and the lack of effective investigation in Israel.
The group also points to violations of United Nations resolutions and the Geneva Conventions, stressing that attacks on UN peacekeepers undermine international legal frameworks.
