Turkey probes German navy's search of Libya-bound freighter

Turkish prosecutors launched an investigation Friday into the search of a Turkish commercial freighter by the crew of a German frigate participating in a European Union mission to enforce an arms embargo on Libya.

Turkey has protested the incident on the Mediterranean Sea, insisting personnel from the German frigate Hamburg illegally searched the Libya-bound freighter Rosaline-A on Nov. 22. Germany has rejected Turkey's complaints, arguing the frigate's crew acted correctly.

In a brief statement announcing its investigation, the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's office said the search was conducted without "Turkey's authorization and against international regulations." The probe is not expected to lead to arrests or the extradition of officials involved in the search.

The Hamburg is part of the European Union's Operation Irini, a mission launched in March...

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