Brussels: Belgian authorities have announced the brief detention and questioning of two Israeli citizens who attended an electronic music festival last week, following accusations by pro-Palestinian groups of their involvement in war crimes.
According to Emirates News Agency, prosecutors received legal complaints alleging that the two Israelis, identified as soldiers responsible for 'serious violations of international humanitarian law' in Gaza, were spotted at the Tomorrowland festival near Antwerp. These complaints centered around allegations of fostering a culture of violence and oppression, and prominently displaying Israeli military symbols. The individuals were accused of raising the flag of the Givati Brigade, an Israeli infantry unit known for its involvement in a large-scale incursion into Gaza, amidst the festival's attendees. This act was perceived as potentially inciting conflict and disturbing public order, leading Belgian authorities to take legal action.
The federal prosecutor's office stated that they had instructed the police to locate and interview the individuals named in the complaints. "Following these interviews, they were released," the office noted in a statement. The prosecution also highlighted that their actions were underpinned by Belgium's extraterritorial jurisdiction over alleged war crimes, a legal provision that became effective last year through an article in Belgium's Code of Criminal Procedure.