HRF Files for the Arrest of Israeli Soldier Sharon Dawit in Cyprus for Torture, War Crimes, and Genocide

11 November 2025 – Brussels / Nicosia

The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) has officially filed a legal complaint before Cypriot authorities demanding the arrest of Israeli soldier Sharon Dawit — a Sergeant in the 424th Infantry Battalion “Shaked/Almond” of the Givati Brigade — for his direct involvement in acts of torture, war crimes, and genocide committed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

The filing, submitted on 11 November 2025 by human rights lawyer Nikoletta Charalambidou on behalf of HRF, is based on the Foundation’s investigative report documenting Dawit’s participation in the humiliation and abuse of Palestinian detainees, including a verified image showing him posing proudly over a naked, blindfolded, handcuffed man in Gaza.

Dawit poses boastfully beside a naked, blindfolded, and handcuffed Palestinian man, this amounts to torture and degrading treatment under international law

From Evidence to Legal Action

The case details Dawit’s deployment with the Givati Brigade from December 2023 to September 2024, and his role in systematic operations involving torture, destruction of civilian property, forced displacement, and psychological degradation.

On 2 January 2024, Dawit posted a photomontage on Instagram, including a photograph where he sits armed in an armchair while a naked Palestinian man kneels before him, handcuffed and blindfolded. HRF authenticated this image using digital forensic tools, concluding that it depicts an act of torture and inhuman treatment in violation of the Rome Statute and the UN Convention Against Torture.

The Foundation’s filing requests Cypriot authorities to act immediately under Article 5(1)(e)(v) of the Cypriot Criminal Code (Cap. 154), which provides for universal jurisdiction over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed outside Cypriot territory. The submission also invokes the Republic’s obligations under the Rome Statute, the Geneva Conventions, and Law 235/1990, which require the arrest of individuals credibly suspected of torture to ensure prosecution.

A Pattern of Abuse

The Givati Brigade, to which Dawit belongs, was among the first Israeli army units to enter Gaza after October 7, 2023. HRF’s investigation shows that it played a leading role in attacks on civilians, destruction of residential areas, looting, and forced displacement.

The acts captured in Dawit’s photo reflect a broader, systematic pattern of abuse. HRF and its partners have documented the use of identical stress positions and humiliation methods, confirming that such practices are institutional, not incidental — a policy of collective degradation carried out under the cover of war.

A Legal and Moral Imperative

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This case is not symbolic — it is procedural and concrete,” said Natacha Bracq, HRF’s Head of Litigation.
“Torture is one of the clearest and most universally condemned crimes in international law. Sharon Dawit’s act, captured and publicized by himself, is the visual proof of a system built on humiliation and domination.

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The filing outlines that Dawit’s conduct constitutes multiple violations under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, including:

• War crimes – torture and cruel treatment (Article 8(2)(a)(i));
• Crimes against humanity – torture and other inhumane acts (Article 7(1)(f) and (k));
• Genocide – causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of a protected group (Article 6(b)).

HRF’s report also references the UN Commission of Inquiry’s September 2025 findings, which concluded that Israeli forces have committed acts meeting the legal threshold for genocide in Gaza — including systematic torture and sexualized violence against detainees.

Dawit ( first from the right)

Cyprus Must Not Become a Safe Haven

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Cyprus must decide what side of history it stands on,” said Dyab Abou Jahjah, Director General of the Hind Rajab Foundation.
“If suspected war criminals can land on European soil, holiday freely, and leave without consequence, then Europe’s commitment to justice is an illusion. Cyprus cannot become a safe haven for perpetrators of genocide — and this filing is a test of its resolve to uphold international law.

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HRF stresses that this case goes beyond one soldier: it is part of a wider effort to end impunity and enforce accountability for the crimes committed during Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza. The Foundation’s team has filed or supported multiple legal actions across Europe and at the International Criminal Court, using verifiable evidence collected through open-source intelligence, witness testimonies, and forensic documentation.

Justice Has No Borders

From Brussels to Nicosia, HRF is pursuing perpetrators wherever they are found, in coordination with national prosecutors and international legal mechanisms. The Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to end impunity and restore dignity to the victims of Israel’s ongoing campaign of annihilation.

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Justice begins when impunity ends,” Bracq added. “Our work is to bridge that gap — with evidence, law, and the courage to act where others remain silent.

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