Israeli court extends detention of Gaza-bound flotilla activists
Kyiv • UNN
An Israeli court has remanded two foreign Gaza flotilla activists in custody until May 5. They are suspected of aiding the enemy and terrorist organizations.
An Israeli court extended for two days the detention of two activists arrested aboard a flotilla bound for Gaza that was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near Greece, their lawyer said on Sunday. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
Details
Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish citizen, and Brazilian Thiago Avila were detained by Israeli authorities late Wednesday and taken to Israel, while more than 100 other pro-Palestinian activists aboard the vessels were transported to the Greek island of Crete.
A court spokesperson confirmed that their detention has been extended until May 5.
The activists were part of the second Global Sumud flotilla, which was organized to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid. The vessels departed from Barcelona on April 12.
Israeli authorities requested a four-day extension of the arrest on suspicion of crimes including aiding the enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, membership in and providing services to a terrorist organization, and transferring property to such an organization, according to the human rights group Adalah, which is defending the activists.
Lawyer Ghadir Abu Salih stated that both detainees deny the charges. She told Reuters after a hearing at the Ashkelon Magistrate's Court that the arrest was illegal due to a lack of jurisdiction, adding that the mission aimed to deliver aid to civilians in Gaza, not to any armed groups.
Abu Salih also stated that Abu Keshek and Avila were subjected to violence during transport to Israel and were handcuffed and blindfolded until Thursday morning.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday called the flotilla organizers "professional provocateurs."
Israel will not allow the violation of the legal naval blockade of Gaza
Reminder
Israeli forces intercepted 22 vessels of a humanitarian flotilla in international waters near Crete. 175 activists were detained and taken to Israel.