A PALESTINIAN solidarity group called on the Egyptian authorities today to release three of its organisers who they say were abducted, detained and beaten by the secret police.

The group, Global March to Gaza, had hoped to bring thousands of people from across the world to march peacefully from the Egyptian capital of Cairo to Rafah, just across the country’s border with Palestine, last weekend, but were met with state repression.

Hundreds of people hoping to break Israel’s illegal blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza were detained, deported and arrested upon arrival into Cairo last week, forcing Global March to Gaza’s organisers to abandon the march.

In recent days, the group says, plainclothes police officers have forcibly removed march participants from hotel rooms and shops, and detained them in the streets without cause or explanation.

Late on Monday afternoon, three Global March to Gaza organisers, Jonas Selhi, Huthayfa Abuserriya and Saif Abukeshek, were abducted by the spooks while sitting at a cafe in Cairo.

“All three were blindfolded, handcuffed, interrogated and brutally beaten,” the group said today.

“According to Jonas, who was allowed a brief call from police custody, those abducted were subjected to violent questioning.

“Jonas reported that Saif, a Spanish citizen of Palestinian origin, was singled out for especially severe abuse. His current whereabouts are still unknown.

“Jonas and Huthayfa were later transferred to the Cairo airport detention centre. No formal charges have been brought. We are awaiting and urge their safe release.”

The humanitarians associated with this march are not a threat, and have abided by Egyptian law, Global March to Gaza said today.

“Our aims are in line with Egypt’s stated diplomatic goals for an end to Israel’s illegal siege and for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

“The suppression of the march and of march humanitarians is both unnecessary and counterproductive for Egypt. We urge an immediate end to this suppression and remain committed to peacefully advocating for life, dignity and justice for Palestine.”

Meanwhile, six members of the Sumound convoy, another activist group that planned to reach Gaza via Egypt that set off from Algeria last week, have been detained at Libya’s border with Egypt. Their whereabouts is unknown.