Netanyahu and security chiefs' trial opens in Turkey: Court orders check if they have assets in the country
A court in Istanbul has opened the trial of 35 Israelis, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, Ben Gvir, and Chief of Staff Zamir, following the Navy's seizure of the So'mood flotilla to Gaza. The court ordered an examination of assets in Turkey and upheld the arrest warrants.
A court in Istanbul yesterday (Friday) opened the trial of 35 Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, following the Israeli Navy's seizure of the So'mood flotilla ships en route to the Gaza Strip. At the conclusion of the first hearing, the court ordered an examination of whether the defendants have assets in Turkey, upheld the arrest warrants issued against them, and considered expanding legal proceedings against additional Israelis. The hearing was held at the 11th Criminal Court in Istanbul, in the presence of flotilla participants who filed complaints against Israel, lawyers, and representatives of Turkish organizations. The Israeli defendants were not present at the hearing. The court instructed the relevant authorities to check whether the 35 defendants own real estate or movable property in Turkey. No reports were made of liens or seizure orders. It was also decided to uphold the arrest warrants and decisions related to requests for publishing Red Notices through Interpol. In a further decision, the court ordered an appeal to the Istanbul prosecutor's office to consider filing a new indictment that would detail the acts attributed to Israel against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The proceedings were initiated following complaints by Turkish citizens who participated in the flotilla to Gaza and were detained after Navy forces seized the vessels. The Turkish indictment attributes to the defendants offenses of torture, deprivation of liberty, injury, and aggravated robbery. The arrest warrants against the defendants are not new; as early as August, the Turkish Justice Minister announced proceedings for publishing Red Notices. The trial is being conducted in the absence of the Israeli defendants. The next hearing is set for March 30, 2027.