An Israeli court has extended by two days the detention of two activists arrested aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, their lawyer said on Sunday.
Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian national, were detained by Israeli authorities late on Wednesday and brought to Israel, while more than 100 other pro-Palestine activists aboard the Global Sumud flotilla were taken to the Greek island of Crete.
According to the Brazilian embassy, Avila said he had been subjected to torture, beatings and mistreatment in Israeli detention.
During a monitored visit in which he was separated by glass and unable to communicate freely, embassy officials observed visible marks on his face. He also reported significant pain, particularly in his shoulder.
Abu Keshek was “subjected to torture and severe abuse while detained aboard the military vessel prior to transfer”, the Global Sumud flotilla said, citing eyewitness testimony.
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An Israeli court spokesperson confirmed that the activists’ remand had been extended until 5 May.
The governments of Spain and Brazil issued a joint statement on Friday calling their detention illegal.
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The second Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona on 12 April in an attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid.
Israeli authorities had initially requested a four-day extension of the activists’ detention on suspicion of a range of offences.
The legal rights group Adalah, which is representing them, said the offences include assisting the enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, membership in and providing services to a terrorist organisation, and the transfer of property for a terrorist organisation.
Both men deny the allegations.
Adalah solicitors Hadeel Abu Salih and Lubna Tuma argued before the court that the proceedings against the activists were “flawed and illegal”, stating that there is no legal basis for the “extraterritorial application of these offences to the actions of foreign nationals in international waters”.
Abu Salih added that both men were subjected to violence en route to Israel and were kept handcuffed and blindfolded until Thursday morning.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Israel’s foreign ministry has called the flotilla organisers “professional provocateurs”.
