Turkey puts IOF commanders on trial over killing 9 Turks on board of Mavi Marmara

On Tuesday 6th November, Turkey is putting four former Israeli military commanders on trial over killing nine Turks after the Israeli marines stormed the Mavi Marmara aid ship, which was on its way to the Gaza Strip in May 2010 and killed them along with international activists on board. Media sources reported that relations between Israel and Turkey deteriorated after Israeli marines raided the Mavi Marmara aid ship to enforce a naval blockade of the Palestinian-run Gaza Strip that killed nine Turks in clashes with activists and wounded more than 50 others. The trial takes place in Istanbul today and a Turkish state prosecutor is seeking multiple life sentences for the now retired Israeli officers over their involvement in the killings. There were a total of 490 people aboard the ship during the raid, including activists and journalists, and they are expected to give evidence. The trial will be officially recorded by television cameras, although proceedings are not expected to be broadcast. IHH, the Turkish Islamic humanitarian agency which owns the Mavi Marmara, said it expects the Turkish court to issue arrest warrants for the officers who would be obliged to be extradited to Turkey, but this claim was dismissed by Israel.