The Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office announced on Thursday that it has opened an investigation after Israeli forces arrested Turkish citizens aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying activists and humanitarian aid.
According to Turkish media, the probe concerns 24 Turkish citizens arrested following the Israeli navy’s operation in international waters against the Global Sumud flotilla. The statement cited the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and said the inquiry would examine potential crimes including deprivation of liberty, hijacking or detention of transport, aggravated looting, material damage, and torture.
Reports indicated that in total, 30 Turkish nationals were detained and later taken by Israeli forces for deportation to Europe.
The Turkish foreign ministry, in a statement late Wednesday, condemned the interception as “an act of terrorism” by Israel and expressed hope that the incident would not undermine ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
Despite the arrests, the flotilla organizers announced on Thursday morning that their mission would continue towards Palestinian territory.
