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| Turkey tries ex-Israeli commanders over Mavi Marmara raid | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A court in Istanbul is to try in absentia four ex-Israeli military commanders over the deadly raid of a Turkish boat as it tried to break the blockade of Gaza in 2010. | |
| Nine Turkish activists died in clashes after the Israeli commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara. Seven of the commandos were also wounded. | |
| The incident led to a major rift in relations between Turkey and Israel. | |
| If the four are convicted, the court could issue a warrant for their arrest. | If the four are convicted, the court could issue a warrant for their arrest. |
| The Mavi Marmara was carrying 600 pro-Palestinian activists towards the Gaza coast when it was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters in May 2010. | The Mavi Marmara was carrying 600 pro-Palestinian activists towards the Gaza coast when it was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters in May 2010. |
| Israel insists that its commandos acted in self-defence after they came under attack by Turkish activists on the boat. | |
| The Israeli embassy in Ankara has called the trial a "unilateral political act with no judicial credibility". | |
| It says the issue should be dealt with through dialogue between Israel and Turkey. | |
| A UN inquiry found that Israel's blockade of Gaza was "a legitimate security measure" and that Israeli troops had faced "significant, organised and violent resistance" when they boarded the ship. | A UN inquiry found that Israel's blockade of Gaza was "a legitimate security measure" and that Israeli troops had faced "significant, organised and violent resistance" when they boarded the ship. |
| However, it said Israel's decision to board the ship and the use of substantial force was "excessive and unreasonable". | However, it said Israel's decision to board the ship and the use of substantial force was "excessive and unreasonable". |
| Israel, which carried out its own investigation into the raid, has expressed regret for the loss of lives. | Israel, which carried out its own investigation into the raid, has expressed regret for the loss of lives. |
| In May, Turkish prosecutors charged four retired Israeli military commanders. Among the indictments are "inciting murder through cruelty or torture". | In May, Turkish prosecutors charged four retired Israeli military commanders. Among the indictments are "inciting murder through cruelty or torture". |
| The accused are former Israel army chief of staff Gen Gabi Ashkenazi, ex-naval chief Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom, former head of military intelligence Maj Gen Amos Yadlin, and former head of the air force Brig Gen Avishai Lev. | |
| Nearly 500 people who were on board the ship during the raid are expected to give evidence. | Nearly 500 people who were on board the ship during the raid are expected to give evidence. |
| International pressure following the deadly raid led Israel to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip, allowing in more food products. | International pressure following the deadly raid led Israel to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip, allowing in more food products. |