JERUSALEM, May 5 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli court on Tuesday extended by six days the detention of two activists detained aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters by the Israeli navy last week.
The activists, Thiago Avila of Brazil and Saif Abu Keshek of Spain, were brought to Israel after Israeli forces seized the vessels. Others aboard the flotilla were reportedly taken to the Greek island of Crete and released.
During the hearing at the Ashkelon Magistrate's Court, police told the court the two were suspected of aiding an enemy, contact with a foreign agent, and ties to a terrorist organization. Court documents show police identified the pair as "dominant figures" in the flotilla and claimed to possess material supporting the allegations.
Adalah, an Israel-based rights group representing the men, said both have launched a hunger strike and deny all charges. Adalah lawyers described the accusations as "baseless" and alleged the men are being held in harsh conditions and subjected to abuse.
The lawyers further argued that Israel lacks jurisdiction, noting the activists were detained more than 1,000 kilometers from Gaza and are not Israeli citizens.
Israeli authorities have declined to release specific evidence, citing the ongoing investigation. ■
