Mavi Marmara trial begins in Istanbul

A Turkish court began yesterday a trial of four Israeli military officers in regard to a 2010 raid on the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara, which left eight Turkish nationals and one Turkish-American dead. The four accused, identified by an investigation of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, are former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of General Staff Gen. Rau Aluf Gabi Ashkenazi, Naval Forces Commander Vice Adm. Eliezer Marom, Israel's military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin and Air Forces Intelligence head Brig. Gen. Avishai Levi. The commanders are all being tried in absentia. Prosecutors are requesting life imprisonment for the officers who directed the raid. The first hearing in the trial took place at an Istanbul court with the attendance of a large number of attorneys, journalists, family members of the victims and activists from both Turkey and abroad.  Ann Wright, a former colonel in the US army, described how Israeli troops had boarded their vessel in her testimony. According to Wright, who was on board the flotilla Challenger 1, which was traveling alongside the Mavi Marmara, both ships were attacked by Israeli commandos, firing paint bullets and tossing stun grenades. Ahmet Dogan, father of the 19-year-old Furkan Dogan, who was among the nine victims of the incident, said his son was the youngest on board and had no other intention but to help the people in Gaza. Around 3000 people gathered outside the court in support of the trial and to protest Israel’s attack. The hearings are expected to continue for three days.