Occupied Palestine (QNN)- An Israeli court extended on Sunday by two days the detention of two activists abducted aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, amid reports of torture and mistreatment.
Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish-Swedish national of Palestinian origin, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian national, were abducted by Israeli forces late on Wednesday and brought to Israel, while more than 100 other pro-Palestine activists aboard the Global Sumud flotilla were released.
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.
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 “unlawful” and “constituted kidnapping.”
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 occupation 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 organization, and the transfer of property for a terrorist organization.
Both men deny the allegations.
Adalah solicitors Hadeel Abu Salih and Lubna Tuma said 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 two have been on a hunger strike during their detention although they have continued to drink water.
Israel has accused Abu Keshek and Ávila of illegally working with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, which the United States claims it operates at the behest of Hamas.
The activists' lawyers said that there was no legal basis for the extraterritorial application of these offenses to the actions of foreign citizens in international waters.
