The two Flotilla activists arrested by the Israeli Navy will remain in prison for another two days. The Israeli court has in fact extended the detention of the Brazilian Thiago Avila and the Palestinian-Spanish Saif Abu Keshek. Both were captured by the Tel Aviv army in international waters while facing yet another expedition of the Global sumud flotilla, aimed at breaking the Tsahal naval blockade on Gaza.
The accusations
“The state had asked to extend their detention by four days,” he told theAfp Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator of the human rights organization Adalah. Tel Aviv considers Abu Keshek to be a “prominent member of the PCPA”. According to the Israeli indictment, the organization, based in Istanbul, is an operational and financial arm of Hamas. According to the investigators, Avila is also part of the same organization and is therefore “suspected of illegal activities”.
The two activists, detained in Shikma prison in Ashkelon, received a visit from their respective lawyers on May 2. Avila said he was “subjected to extreme brutality” when the Israeli Navy seized 22 flotilla boats. The Brazilian citizen further added that he was “dragged face down on the floor and beaten so violently that he was knocked unconscious twice.” Since arriving in Israel, he has been “held in solitary confinement and blindfolded.” Similar treatment was reported by Abu Keshek.
The appeal against Italy
While the rest of the flotilla is preparing to leave for Gaza, the legal team assisting the Italian expedition has filed a complaint in Rome against Israel. Tel Aviv is accused of kidnapping following the arrest of the two activists in international waters. An operation that took place on a boat flying the Italian flag and for this reason the lawyers have also filed an urgent appeal to the European Court of Human Rights against the Italian State in the interests of the two activists.”