10.04.2026 22:50
The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the intervention against the Sumud Fleet, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, has been completed. Serious charges such as crimes against humanity, genocide, torture, and looting have been brought against 35 suspects, including Binyamin Netanyahu, and the case has been moved to the trial phase.
The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the armed raid on the Sumud Fleet, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, has been completed. The investigation initiated during the tenure of Justice Minister Akın Gürlek as the Chief Public Prosecutor has evolved into a historic judicial process targeting the highest-ranking officials in Israel. Serious charges, including crimes against humanity, genocide, torture, looting, and abduction, have been brought against 35 suspects, from Netanyahu to the Chief of Staff.
THE INVESTIGATION INITIATED DURING GÜRLEK'S TENURE HAS REACHED THE TRIAL STAGE
The case conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau was initiated based on allegations of armed intervention against civilian aid ships in international waters. The investigation, which was triggered during Justice Minister Akın Gürlek's tenure as Chief Prosecutor, has officially moved to the trial stage with the acceptance of the indictment today.
This critical threshold clearly demonstrated that Turkey did not merely respond diplomatically to Israel's intervention against the Sumud fleet but also showed its willingness to hold accountable on the grounds of international law by directly activating the judicial mechanism.
NETANYAHU AND ISRAEL'S TOP OFFICIALS IN THE DOCK
The names included in the indictment further increased the case's impact. A public lawsuit has been filed against 35 suspects, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
The prosecution determined that these individuals did not act individually but managed the operation as "planned, organized, and joint perpetrators." This finding strengthened the claim that the incident was not a field intervention but an operation conducted with state intelligence.
ARMED RAID IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS
According to the case, the Sumud Fleet was an international civil initiative established to deliver aid to civilians in Gaza. However, this fleet became the target of Israeli security forces while sailing in international waters in the Eastern Mediterranean. The ships were forcibly stopped, taken under control by armed personnel, and civilians were abducted using coercion.
The indictment detailed that some victims were forcibly taken to Israel, deprived of their freedom for a certain period, and then deported back to Turkey. This scenario revealed that the intervention was not a "security application" but an open use of force operation.
ALLEGATIONS OF TORTURE, MISTREATMENT, AND DEGRADATION
The statements of the victims and forensic reports constituted the most shocking parts of the case. Claims that civilians were subjected to physical violence, degrading treatment, and held under prolonged pressure after the armed intervention were recorded in detail.
The prosecution concluded that these actions were not momentary but part of a "systematic and ongoing" process, establishing the occurrence of the crime of torture. The presence of injured victims and the emergence of severe consequences, such as bone fractures in some cases, were also included in the case.
HUMANITARIAN AID MATERIALS SEIZED
The indictment examined not only actions against individuals but also actions against property in detail. It was determined that humanitarian aid materials and personal belongings on the ships were taken using coercion and weapons, and these items were not returned.
For this reason, the prosecution classified the actions as "qualified looting." Additionally, charges of property damage due to harm to the ship's equipment were also included in the case. Thus, it became clear that the intervention constituted a serious chain of crimes not only militarily but also economically and humanitarily.
THE MOST SERIOUS CHARGES: GENOCIDE AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
The most striking part of the indictment was the connection between the overall situation in Gaza and the intervention against the Sumud Fleet. The prosecution extensively evaluated systematic attacks against civilians in Gaza, condemning them to hunger and thirst, obstructing access to healthcare, and forcibly displacing them.
It was emphasized that the attack on the aid fleet was part of this larger picture. Therefore, the actions of the suspects were addressed not only as individual crimes but also in connection with crimes against humanity under Article 77 of the Turkish Penal Code and genocide under Article 76. This finding elevated the case to the highest level in terms of international law.
TURKEY HAS DEMONSTRATED A WILLINGNESS TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE
The indictment emphasized that regardless of who the perpetrator is or where the incident occurred, it is mandatory to investigate actions that violate fundamental rights and freedoms. It was clearly stated that the state has an obligation to conduct effective investigations in the face of violations against Turkish citizens. This approach demonstrated that Turkey has shown a direct legal will to take action and hold accountable regarding the Sumud fleet.
TRIAL BEGINS FOR FUGITIVE SUSPECTS
The prosecution requested that the trial be conducted according to the procedure for the prosecution of fugitives due to the suspects being abroad. Accordingly, even if Netanyahu and other individuals are not present in Turkey, the process will continue, and the case will proceed with full weight.