05.10.2025 13:51
A response has come regarding the claims that Erdem Özveren, a Turkish activist from the Sumud Fleet heading to Gaza to break the Israeli blockade, was detained upon his arrival in Istanbul. The governor's office stated that the allegations are completely unfounded and that the Sumud Fleet group was warmly welcomed at Istanbul Airport.
The Istanbul Governorship denied the claims regarding the detention of Turkish activist Erdem Özveren, who was detained by Israel and brought to Turkey on the Sumud Fleet.
"THE CLAIMS ARE COMPLETELY BASELESS"
In a statement made by the governorship, the following expressions were included: "Istanbul Governorship: Various social media platforms have shared claims that our citizen E.Ö., who participated in the Sumud Fleet, was detained 'due to complaints from companies on the boycott list because of his boycott activities against Israel.' These claims are completely baseless."
HIS WIFE FILED A MISSING PERSON REPORT
The Sumud Fleet group was warmly welcomed at Istanbul Airport by high-level public officials and our citizens in the VIP terminal. A missing person report was filed by the wife of our citizen E.Ö., who returned to the country with the group, at the Eyüpsultan District Akşemsettin Police Station on October 3, 2025. For the citizen named E.Ö., only a form was prepared at the VIP terminal entrance due to this missing person report, and no detention or other action was taken. After identity procedures, E.Ö. was sent to the Forensic Medicine Institution along with the group he arrived with.
"WE ARE HONORED TO HOST THE GROUP IN ISTANBUL"
The Sumud Fleet, formed to break the genocidal blockade imposed by the terrorist state of Israel in Gaza, is being hosted in our hotels by our Governorship. We, as the Istanbul Governorship, are honored to host the group that is willing to pay a price to protect human dignity. Claims of mistreatment, detention, etc. against the group do not reflect the truth."
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Global Sumud Fleet, which set sail from the Mediterranean to break the blockade of Israel and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, approached the waters of Gaza on the evening of October 1. The Israeli army attacked the fleet, illegally seizing dozens of boats and ships and detaining hundreds of passengers. The Global Sumud Fleet is the largest fleet to set sail collectively to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza to date.
The Israeli navy illegally seized the ships in the fleet on the evening of October 1 and detained hundreds of activists. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey stated that the attack on the fleet, which was on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, was a "terrorist act" that endangered the lives of innocent civilians. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan instructed that the activists from the Global Sumud Fleet be brought to Turkey. Additionally, evacuation requests from some countries were also evaluated.
Efforts were initiated to bring the activists from the Global Sumud Fleet, who were attacked and detained by Israel in international waters, to Turkey with a Turkish Airlines (THY) plane in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT).
The THY plane, which departed from Ramon Airport in Eilat, Israel, arrived at Istanbul Airport yesterday at 15:50. A total of 137 people, including 36 Turks, who were on the vessels of the Global Sumud Fleet, arrived in Istanbul on this flight. The activists were welcomed by some officials and many people in the VIP Lounge of Istanbul Airport.
Later, the activists, who were sent to the Forensic Medicine Institution and underwent a health check, were questioned by 11 prosecutors assigned by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office as part of the ongoing investigation. Efforts are ongoing for the Turkish citizens remaining in Israel to return to their homeland as soon as possible.