Rome prosecutors probe Israel over detention of Gaza flotilla activists

The prosecutor’s office in Rome has opened an investigation into the alleged unlawful detention of activists from a humanitarian flotilla to Gaza, which was intercepted by the Israeli navy off Crete last week.

According to a statement, three complaints have been received, two of which concern activists who were sailing on an Italian vessel and are still being held in custody in Israel, foreign news agencies report.

The Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla of the international coalition Global Sumud Flotilla during the night between Wednesday and Thursday in international waters west of Crete. The flotilla was carrying humanitarian aid and heading toward war-devastated Gaza, CE Report quotes STA.

From more than 20 vessels in the flotilla, around 200 activists were detained and taken to Israel. Most were later released, but Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abu Keshk and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila were arrested and taken to the city of Ashkelon, where their detention was extended by two days on Sunday.

Israeli authorities accuse Abu Keshk of links to a “terrorist organization,” while Avila is suspected of “illegal activities.” According to them, both are connected to an organization sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for allegedly operating in support of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

The Israeli human rights NGO Adalah, which represents them, said today that they are being subjected to psychological abuse and ill-treatment in detention. Lawyers from the organization visited them today. Avila told them he has been subjected to repeated interrogations lasting up to eight hours without breaks. He was allegedly threatened with death or told he would “remain in prison for 100 years.” The organization also noted that their cells are constantly brightly lit and that they are systematically transferred while blindfolded, even during medical examinations.

Most of the questioning focuses on the flotilla, described as a “peaceful humanitarian mission,” which, according to the NGO, indicates that the detention is an attempt to criminalize humanitarian aid and solidarity. The organization added that a court will decide on Tuesday whether their detention will be extended, AFP reports.