A Turkish court has ordered an investigation into nationals allegedly involved in mistreating Gaza aid flotilla activists detained in Israel. The Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court issued the order during the first hearing of a case involving 35 defendants, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The court directed prosecutors to identify Turkish citizens whom complainants accused of participating in the alleged abuses. It also maintained arrest warrants and Interpol Red Notice requests against all 35 defendants. The case centres on Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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During the hearing, doctor Osman Cetinkaya said Israeli soldiers confiscated several boxes of medical supplies from the flotilla. He also alleged that participants faced mistreatment at Ashdod port after their detention. Cetinkaya told the court he wanted to pursue his complaint against the defendants.
Another complainant, Zeynep Tekocak, described alleged strip searches and an altercation after she refused to remove her headscarf. She said soldiers recorded her wearing replacement clothing and mocked her. Tekocak also alleged that a soldier involved in her detention claimed to be from Türkiye’s central province of Yozgat.
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Turkish lawmaker Sema Silkin Un testified that she and around 80 other participants were held in a poorly ventilated room. She alleged that detainees faced verbal abuse, psychological mistreatment and restrictions on sleeping. Un also said an Israeli soldier insulted Islam while detainees were reading the Quran.
Lawyers urged the court to broaden the investigation to include alleged crimes against civilians in Gaza. They submitted evidence and requested relevant documents from the International Court of Justice and United Nations. The court said allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity required more specific details and supporting evidence in a separate indictment.
The court also ordered inquiries into whether the defendants held assets in Türkiye and requested documents related to proceedings before the International Criminal Court. It accepted participation requests from several organisations, including the Istanbul No 2 Bar Association and the International Jurists Union. The hearing was adjourned until March 30, 2027.