Spain demands Israel present evidence against Saif Abukeshek or release him “immediately”

Eduardo González Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has demanded that Israeli authorities “present” the accusations against the Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek, detained since the attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, whose arrest has been extended by six days by an Israeli court. “Saif shouldn’t be where he is, in Israeli prisons, but rather free,” Albares declared during an interview on the TVE program 'La hora de La 1'. According to the activist’s defense team, speaking to Spanish Television, Israel is trying to prove that both Abukeshek and the other detainee, Brazilian Thiago Ávila, are linked to terrorist activities. “There is no evidence or any connection to what the Israeli authorities are saying,” Albares asserted. “I have made it clear to the Israeli authorities that, according to the reports I have, none of that is true, and if they are so sure of it, they should put the evidence on the table,” he continued. “And even assuming that were the case—and I insist, the official information I have requested categorically denies it—you don't board a ship in international waters and illegally detain someone,” he warned. “There are international channels, legal channels, in every state governed by the rule of law, and Spain is one of them,” he added. “I have conveyed this to my Israeli counterpart (Gideon Sa’ar) on several occasions,” he asserted. “We are facing a completely illegal detention. No Israeli agent has any jurisdiction in international waters. And we demand his immediate release,” he insisted. In this regard, Albares expressed his concern to Israel about the possibility of a widespread kidnapping of activists outside its jurisdiction. “I told my Israeli colleague the same thing the last time I spoke with him. What's next?” he declared. “That same Saturday, I also contacted the High Representative (of the EU, Kaja Kallas) to ask her to convey this to Israel,” because “this is no way for a state that calls itself democratic to act,” continued the Foreign Minister, who warned that the fact that the Israeli attack on the flotilla took place in international waters off the coast of Greece “adds gravity” to what “was already extremely serious.” “This is not how one acts, and there is international law that is very clear on this matter,” he warned. “This is certainly an illegal detention, without a doubt,” he added. Extension of detention This Tuesday, the Israeli court in Ashkelon extended the detention of Abukeshek and Ávila by six days, as reported by TVE and confirmed to the Europa Press news agency by the organization Adalah, which is providing them with legal counsel in the country. Therefore, both will remain in prison at least until Sunday, May 10. The defense team maintains that the two activists are suffering physical and psychological abuse and are being held in solitary confinement, subjected to harsh interrogations, even blindfolded during medical examinations. They also assert that the activists have not been allowed to speak with their families. The Spanish activist continues his hunger strike, the same sources told TVE. [caption id="attachment_142488" align="alignnone" width="750"] Albares with those close to Saif Abukeshek. / Photo: MAUC[/caption] Regarding this matter, sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the Spanish consul in Tel Aviv attended Saif Abukeshek's hearing on Tuesday, "where it was decided to extend his detention, which Spain considers illegal, for another six days." "The consul will continue to visit him, providing him with full protection and remaining in constant contact with his family," they continued. "His partner was received today by Minister Albares at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Madrid," the sources added. "The Spanish government demands his immediate release and that all his rights be respected," they insisted. In his interview with TVE, Albares did not specify whether the government would take any action following the extension of the arrest and preferred to remain cautious, so as "not to say anything that could worsen Saif's situation." "What I can say is that we issued a joint statement with Brazil and that I am coordinating with my Brazilian counterpart to act jointly, and, of course, we will not leave our citizen unprotected," he assured. Separately, the minister reported that the Spanish activist is receiving regular visits from the Spanish consul in Tel Aviv, who is providing legal counsel and ensuring he receives daily medical attention. Regarding his health, Albares also opted for caution: “I won’t elaborate much on the details, because Saif obviously has a right to privacy and to his own image,” but “he is doing well, considering the terrible circumstances he is in.” In a joint statement issued last Friday, May 1, the Governments of Spain and Brazil condemned “in the strongest terms the abduction of two of their citizens in international waters by the Government of Israel” and warned that this “flagrantly illegal action by the Israeli authorities outside their jurisdiction constitutes a violation of International Law, liable to be invoked before international courts, and may constitute a crime in our respective national jurisdictions.” The Governments of Spain and Brazil also demanded that the Government of Israel “immediately return their citizens with full guarantees of their safety, and that immediate consular access be facilitated for their assistance and protection.” Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Ávila were aboard vessels of the flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters and were not released either when the vessels were seized or after the subsequent disembarkation of the passengers and crew on the island of Crete.

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