The U.N. urged Israel Wednesday to immediately release two activists seized from a Gaza-bound flotilla and called for an investigation into "disturbing accounts" that they were severely mistreated.
Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avila, who are held in a prison in Ashkelon, were among dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound flotilla seized by Israeli forces in international waters off the coast of Greece last Thursday.
"Israel must immediately and unconditionally release Global Sumud Flotilla members Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, who were detained in international waters and brought to Israel where they continue to be held without charge," U.N. rights office spokesperson Thameen al-Kheetan said in a statement.
"It is not a crime to show solidarity and attempt to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza, who are in dire need of it," he added.
The flotilla's vessels set sail from France, Spain and Italy to break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
