3 Turkish citizens arrested by Israel to stand trial

By Eshat Firat

JERUSALEM (AA) - Three Turkish citizens, arrested by Israeli police on Friday, will appear in court Saturday, a lawyer told Anadolu Agency.

Umeyr Ahmed Merrid, appointed by the Civil Defense Unit of Israeli Justice Ministry, said Abdullah Kizilirmak and Mehmet Kargili were accused of "battering Israeli police and resistance".

Israeli police arrested Kizilirmak and Kargili, who tried to perform Friday prayers at Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, according to eyewitness accounts.

The eyewitness said the pilgrims --dual Belgian-Turkish nationals, holding Belgian passports -- were wearing Turkish flag T-shirts when they attempted to enter the holy compound.

Israeli police said they would have to remove the shirts if they wanted to enter, said the eyewitness. The Turks’ refusal was then followed by a brawl and them being arrested.

Merrid said the other Turkish man, Adem Koc, was arrested after the Friday prayers and he was accused of "disturbing public order and attending an illegal demonstration".

On Dec. 6, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital despite worldwide opposition. The decision sparked angry demonstrations across the Muslim world. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other top Turkish officials have been at the international forefront opposing the U.S. move.

On Thursday, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution against the Trump decision by a vote of 128-9.