Close
newsletters Newsletters
X Instagram Youtube

Turkish citizen among 6 activists taken to airport for deportation from Israel

People walk past a sign directing to the police station at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on June 10, 2025. (AFP Photo)
People walk past a sign directing to the police station at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on June 10, 2025. (AFP Photo)
June 12, 2025 03:23 PM GMT+03:00

Turkish citizen Suayb Ordu and German citizen of Turkish origin Yasemin Acar were among six activists taken to Ben Gurion International Airport for deportation from Israel after being detained from the humanitarian aid vessel Madleen.

Israeli human rights organization Adalah, representing the activists legally, announced that the six were transported to Tel Aviv's international airport for deportation after more than 72 hours in detention.

Freedom Flotilla Coalition gathers in Catania as sailboat Madleen prepares to depart from San Giovanni Li Cuti port to break Gaza blockade Catania, Italy, June 1, 2025. (AA Photo)
Freedom Flotilla Coalition gathers in Catania as sailboat Madleen prepares to depart from San Giovanni Li Cuti port to break Gaza blockade Catania, Italy, June 1, 2025. (AA Photo)

Activists from multiple countries face deportation

The other activists scheduled for deportation today include Mark van Rennes from the Netherlands, Thiago Avila from Brazil, Reva Viard from France, and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.

Two French citizens, Pascal Maurieras and Yanis Mhamdi, remain in Israeli custody and are expected to be deported tomorrow afternoon.

Personnel from the French Embassy in Tel Aviv wait outside Givon Prison facility where 12 activists were reportedly taken after being detained aboard the Madleen vessel, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, in the city of Ramla, Israel on June 10, 2025. (AA Photo)
Personnel from the French Embassy in Tel Aviv wait outside Givon Prison facility where 12 activists were reportedly taken after being detained aboard the Madleen vessel, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, in the city of Ramla, Israel on June 10, 2025. (AA Photo)

Rights group reports mistreatment during detention

Adalah reported that the activists faced mistreatment and punitive measures during detention, with two activists held in solitary confinement for a period.

The organization emphasized the harsh conditions faced by the humanitarian workers during their custody.

This picture, taken from a position on the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip, shows destroyed buildings in the besieged Palestinian territory on June 11, 2025. (AFP Photo)
This picture, taken from a position on the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip, shows destroyed buildings in the besieged Palestinian territory on June 11, 2025. (AFP Photo)

Israel intercepted Madleen vessel in international waters

The 18-meter vessel Madleen departed from San Giovanni Li Cuti Port in Catania, Italy, on June 1 as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's mission to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.

Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen in the early hours of June 9 and detained 12 volunteers aboard the vessel. The volunteers were brought to Israel, with four deported on the morning of June 10.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition organized the mission to challenge the Gaza blockade and deliver humanitarian assistance to the region.

June 12, 2025 03:23 PM GMT+03:00
More From Türkiye Today