GSF activist: The torture… to tell you everything, would be too much

SEPANG: Handcuffed with his hands behind his back, forced to kneel and pushed to the floor.

These were among the forms of physical abuse Captain Siva S. Patmanathan said he had to endure after the vessel he was on was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters during the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission to Gaza.

He said Israeli forces detained the vessel at sea and subjected those on board to harsh treatment, including forcing him into humiliating positions and stepping on him while he was restrained.

He said he was also punched in the ribs during the incident.

“The torture, if I were to tell you everything, it would be too much.

“They handcuffed my hands behind my back, made me kneel, and then forced me to the floor. Then they stepped on me until I was lying flat on my stomach with my hands behind my back.

“They told me to bow down, then they punched my ribs. They ordered me to put my head on the floor. After that, they shot a ‘water bomb’ at point-blank range,” he said after arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

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Siva added that he endured everything because every act of torture reminded him that Palestinians endure far more abuse from the Israeli Defence Force.

“This hardship that we experienced means nothing. The hardship that the Palestinians are experiencing is far worse.

“Even though they intercepted us, it signifies that the land of Palestine is a blessing bestowed upon me.

“I will definitely continue with the next missions. Whether it is 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0 — I will keep going until the land of Palestine is liberated,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sumud Nusantara Command Centre director-general Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said Malaysian activist Razman Mat Ali suffered a traumatic pneumothorax, or a punctured lung, caused by an assault by Israeli soldiers during the interception of the convoy.

He said Razman is currently receiving treatment in Istanbul, Turkiye, where he has undergone surgery and is reported to be in stable condition.

“He is expected to return to Malaysia within the next 21 days. The incident occurred during the flotilla’s voyage from Barcelona.”

Sani Araby said Razman is not medically fit to fly at present, as air travel could worsen his condition and potentially lead to serious complications.

“Doctors have advised against air travel due to pressure changes in the aircraft cabin, which could aggravate his injury and, in the worst case, be fatal,” he said.

He added that the Turkish government is currently overseeing Razman’s care, while a representative from Sumud Nusantara is also accompanying him.

“This is not an isolated case. Those on board were subjected to physical abuse.”

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times