A Chilean court is currently reviewing a serious criminal complaint filed against Rom Kovtun, a former Israeli army sniper, whose vacation in the South American nation unexpectedly turned into a legal nightmare, as reported by Al Jazeera English. This situation is a significant development, as it opens the door to what legal experts refer to as “universal jurisdiction” for alleged war crimes.
Kovtun, an Israeli-Ukrainian national, found himself in this predicament largely due to his own social media activity. His posts, showcasing both leisurely holiday moments and past wartime experiences, made it possible for the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) to file a complaint in Chile. The foundation is accusing him of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
The HRF, named after a five-year-old Palestinian girl tragically killed in Gaza in January 2024, has assembled a global team of lawyers and activists. Their primary strategy for building legal cases relies heavily on social media posts published by Israeli soldiers themselves.
The core of the legal argument rests on Chile’s domestic law, which incorporates the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute
This statute, which NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani alluded to when talking about arresting Netanyahu, allows courts to exercise universal jurisdiction in specific cases. Pablo Andres Araya, a lawyer working with HRF, explained that this applies when it’s clear that individuals accused of such crimes will not face trial in their country of origin. He stated directly that there is “no question that soldiers who’ve committed atrocities in Gaza will not be tried by [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu.”
Kovtun served as a sniper with Israel’s 424th Shaked Battalion in Gaza. The complaint alleges his involvement in the siege of al-Shifa, Gaza’s largest hospital, between March and April 2024. During this period, he is accused of playing a key role in the mass deaths of civilians and the widespread destruction that occurred. The siege reportedly cut off water, food, medicine, and electricity to everyone inside, leading to the estimated deaths of 500 doctors, nurses, and patients, including newborn babies.
Chile has historically been a popular holiday destination for Israeli soldiers after their military service. However, the atmosphere has shifted, and they are reportedly “no longer as welcome.” This change likely stems from Chile being home to the largest Palestinian diaspora outside of the Middle East, coupled with a general sympathy among Chileans for the Palestinian cause.
Despite the strong public sentiment, it’s important to remember that the legal process is complex. This is a purely legal, judicial issue that could take a significant amount of time to resolve. There’s a real possibility that the former Israeli sniper could be long gone by the time the case progresses.
Published: Feb 18, 2026 02:00 pm