Two foreign activists from a flotilla heading to Gaza have appeared before an Israeli court after being sent to Israel for questioning, a rights group representing them said.
The flotilla of over 50 vessels had set off from France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking the Israeli blockade of Gaza and sending humanitarian aid.
The ships were stopped by Israeli forces in international waters near Greece, while Israeli authorities announced that 175 activists were removed from the vessels, with two of them being sent to Israel for questioning.
Spanish citizen Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Ávila appeared in court in Ashkelon on Sunday. According to the organization Adalah, authorities have requested an extension of their detention by four days.
According to the organization's lawyers, Ávila claimed that he was treated violently during detention, being dragged and beaten until he lost consciousness, and then held in isolation and blindfolded.
Abu Keshek, according to the same source, was also held with his hands tied and his eyes covered from the moment of his arrest until his arrival in Israel.
On the other hand, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has stated that the two activists are affiliated with a US-sanctioned organization accused of links to Hamas, a claim that has been disputed by Spain in the case of Abu Keshek.
Flotilla organizers say the interception occurred more than 1,000 kilometers from Gaza and that equipment on board was destroyed, leaving the activists in a dangerous situation at sea.
