Under mounting international pressure, Gaza flotilla activists Tiago Avila and Saif Abu-Qashaq were released from custody today (Saturday), transferred to immigration authorities, and will be deported from Israel, our correspondent Milen Amar reported.
Avila is a Spanish citizen, and Abu-Qashaq is a resident of Spain. The two were detained aboard a vessel near Crete and launched a hunger strike following their arrest. At a hearing this week on extending their detention, a police representative said they are suspected of membership in a terrorist organization, aiding the enemy in wartime, and contact with terrorist elements and a foreign agent.
The police representative also said the two had ties to the Popular Conference for ‘Palestinians’ Abroad (PCPA), which is designated as a terrorist organization. Because they were among the dominant figures in the flotilla and there is material establishing a level of suspicion in the offenses attributed to them, they were arrested, he said.