Istanbul court orders investigation into Turkish nationals accused of abusing Gaza flotilla detainees in Israel

An Istanbul court has ordered prosecutors to investigate Turkish nationals identified by complainants as having participated in alleged mistreatment of Gaza-bound flotilla activists while they were detained in Israel, while keeping arrest warrants in place for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 34 other defendants.

The Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court issued the ruling at the first hearing of a case arising from Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Complainants told the court they had been subjected to strip searches, sleep deprivation, verbal abuse and other mistreatment after their detention. One said an Israeli soldier involved in her detention told her he was from Türkiye’s Yozgat province. The court ordered the individuals described as Turkish citizens to be identified and referred to prosecutors for possible legal action.

The panel also ruled that existing arrest warrants and requests for Interpol Red Notices covering all 35 defendants should remain in effect.

In a separate decision, the court asked prosecutors to consider preparing a new indictment setting out alleged crimes against civilians in Gaza in concrete terms and linking them to supporting evidence. The existing indictment primarily concerns the flotilla interception, while allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza appear only indirectly and in general terms.

The court also ordered inquiries into whether any of the defendants hold assets in Türkiye and sought documents through the Justice Ministry from proceedings involving the defendants before the International Criminal Court.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 30, 2027.