Seven flotilla activists detained in Israel arrive back in UK

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Seven flotilla activists detained in Israel arrive back in UK 16 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleZoie O'BrienBBCSeven activists whose Gaza-bound aid flotilla was intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces have returned to the UK after being deported. They were among more than 422 people involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which aimed to break the maritime blockade of Gaza and deliver food and medical aid. The group, who arrived at at London Stansted on Saturday via Turkey, told the they witnessed people being "systematically tortured and abused over two days" on Israeli vessels and in prison.

The Israeli military previously rejected similar allegations, telling the that its orders "require respectful and appropriate treatment of flotilla participants". More than 50 boats taking part in the GSF set sail from Turkey last Thursday carrying a token amount of aid. Israel's government dismissed the action as a "PR stunt" serving the Palestinian armed group Hamas, and ordered commandos to board the boats west of Cyprus on Monday and Tuesday.

The Details

The detained activists were transferred to Israeli vessels and taken to an Israeli prison after arriving at the port of Ashdod. The flotilla's organisers alleged there were "at least 15 cases of sexual assaults", while other people who were detained said they were beaten and mistreated. The has not been able to independently verify the allegations.

Israel's prison service has dismissed them as false, saying all detainees were "held in accordance with the law". Katy Davidson, 49, from Cornwall arrived in London in a grey tracksuit which she said she was made to wear after their belongings were thrown away. She said: "These marks are from the handcuffs.

When I asked them to loosen them they said they didn't care. They didn't care about human rights, or whether I lost my hand. "When I actually got my hands through to have them adjusted they actually tightened them and laughed.

What Experts Say

"Hannah Schafer, a 62-year-old sailing instructor, said the aim was to open the humanitarian corridor to Gaza. She said participants in the flotilla were taken onto "two prison ships". Schafer alleges flotilla members were "systematically tortured and abused over two days".

Israeli authorities have said there was little humanitarian aid onboard the flotilla and it was a PR stunt. Documentary film maker Dáša Raimanová, 44, said there were moments she thought she'd never see her daughter again but that what they faced was "nothing compared to the people of Palestine". "It's not a PR stunt it's raising awareness and mobilising together that as civil society we have power to do something when governments are ignoring genocide," she said.

Elliott Roberts, 34, who lives in both Lincoln and Torquay, claimed the vessel he was on was fired at.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.