Istanbul:An Istanbul court has mandated prosecutors to investigate Turkish nationals allegedly involved in the mistreatment of participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was headed to Gaza, during their detention in Israel. This decision emerged during the inaugural hearing of a case against 35 defendants, which includes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court has instructed that individuals accused by complainants of being Turkish citizens and involved in alleged abuses while in Israeli custody should be identified and face legal proceedings. The court maintained that the existing arrest warrants and Interpol Red Notice requests for all 35 defendants remain active.
The legal case revolves around Israel's military interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a vessel carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. During the hearing, Osman Cetinkaya, a complainant and doctor on the flotilla, recounted Israeli soldiers confiscating medical supplies and mistreating participants at Ashdod port. Another complainant, Zeynep Tekocak, reported being subjected to strip searches and mocked after refusing to remove her headscarf. Turkish lawmaker Sema Silkin Un also provided testimony regarding poor detention conditions and verbal abuse.
Riza Saka, president of the Istanbul No. 2 Bar Association, described the proceedings as historic and called for more international evidence, referencing the International Court of Justice's provisional measures concerning allegations of genocide in Gaza. Lawyer Yasin Samli noted that the case involves allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity, with significant evidence submitted.
The court's interim ruling highlighted the need for a separate indictment concerning alleged crimes against Gaza civilians, distinct from the flotilla-related actions. The court also ordered asset inquiries of the defendants in Turkey and requested documents from the International Criminal Court and a UN report on genocide allegations.
The hearing has been adjourned to March 30, 2027.