Russia praises Israel's decision to probe Freedom Flotilla assault
16:08 15/06/2010
MOSCOW, June 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russia praised on Tuesday Israel's decision to hold its own investigation into the storming of a humanitarian aid convoy but said the probe should be in line with international standards.
Israeli commandos stormed on May 31 the six-ship Freedom Flotilla in international waters off the coast of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip as it carried some 10,000 tons of aid and up to 700 human rights activists to the Palestinian enclave.
Nine activists were killed and dozens were injured. Hundreds were jailed and then deported.
On Monday, the Israeli government formed an independent public commission with foreign observers participating. Israel earlier rejected holding an independent international investigation.
"I believe any actions to clarify the tragic circumstances of what happened May 31, 2010, in the eastern Mediterranean cannot but be hailed," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said.
"In this sense efforts made by the Israeli side could be useful," he said, adding that the probe should be unbiased, thorough, transparent and meet international standards.
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