Türkiye launches investigation into murder of Turkish-US activist by Israeli soldiers

Türkiye has opened an investigation into the death of Turkish-American activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israeli soldiers, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said. 

Tunç criticized the incident as an "unlawful terrorist attack" and stated that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is conducting the probe under domestic law, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The investigation focuses on crimes committed against Turkish citizens abroad and may lead to charges of “premeditated murder” categorized under “crimes against humanity.” 

Türkiye plans to issue international arrest warrants through a red notice to apprehend those responsible.

Tunç underscored Türkiye's commitment to seeking international justice, calling for immediate action from the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions. He proposed the formation of an independent commission of inquiry to produce a report, which will be used in ongoing legal actions against Israel, including the genocide case at the International Court of Justice and investigations at the International Criminal Court.

"We will continue to defend Ayşenur's rights," Tunç said, and also pledged to advocate for the rights of Palestinians and to continue efforts to stop the "bloodshed" in the region.

Notably, Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, was protesting near an Israeli settler outpost in the occupied West Bank last week when Israeli forces shot her in the head. 

The Israeli military has claimed that the shooting was likely accidental and that their forces were targeting a “key instigator” of what they described as a “violent riot.” 

However, eyewitnesses have contested this account, asserting that the clashes had ended before she was shot. 

The killing has provoked strong reactions in both US and Türkiye, where Eygi was originally from. President Biden expressed his profound sadness over her death and called for “full accountability” from Israel.