Anadolu Agency sources explained that the investigation is being conducted under Article 13 of the Turkish Penal Code, which states that "Turkish laws and Turkish judiciary have jurisdiction over international crimes, even if committed by a foreigner in a foreign country."
The Steadfastness Flotilla announced on Wednesday evening via its Twitter account that it had been attacked by approximately 10 Israeli ships in international waters. It considered the attack a "war crime," confirming that it would continue sailing with 30 ships approximately 46 miles from Gaza, despite attacks that included spraying pressurized water and deliberate collisions with the flotilla's ships. It described the attack as a "crime against humanity."
International organizations, including Amnesty International, called for protection for the fleet, while the United Nations affirmed that any attack on it was "unacceptable."
In the same context, the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office announced on Thursday that it had opened an investigation into Israel's arrest of 24 Turkish activists aboard flotilla ships during its attacks in international waters.
According to the office's statement, the investigation includes violations related to "deprivation of liberty," "hijacking or seizure of means of transport," "robbery," "damage to property," and "torture," based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant Turkish laws.
It is noteworthy that this is the first time that dozens of ships have set sail together towards Gaza, home to approximately 2.4 million Palestinians, in a collective attempt to break the 18-year Israeli blockade.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, leaving 66,148 martyrs and 168,716 wounded, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 455 Palestinians, including 151 children.
