Israel wants to extend detention of flotilla activists as Saif Abu Keshek, Thiago Avilo appear in court

ALBAWABA - Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avilo, who were kidnapped by Israeli military forces from the Global Sumud Flotilla, appeared before an Israeli court today, AFP confirmed Sunday.

Abu Keshek, who is of Palestinian origin, and Avilo were brought to the court in the city of Ashkelon, according to Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at the Israeli rights group Adalah.

She told AFP that Israel requested the court to extend their "detention by four days".

Israeli authorities said that its forces seized 22 boats carrying around 175 activists near Crete, Greece. Most of the activists were disembarked in Crete, while two were sent to Israel for "questioning".

The BBC reported that the flotilla set off for Gaza two weeks ago, with a total of 58 vessels from Spain, France and Italy coming on the trip to break through Israel's aid blockade.