You're reading: Greece arrests Gaza-bound boat captain

Authorities in Greece say they have arrested the captain of a boat that was to be part of a Gaza-bound flotilla trying to deliver humanitarian aid.

The 60-year-old captain, whose name was not released by authorities, is being held at Piraeus police headquarters and will remain there until a court hearing Tuesday.

Greece’s coast guard said Saturday the captain of the "Audacity of Hope" faces charges of trying to leave port without permission and of endangering the lives of the boat’s passengers. The latter charge is a felony.

The "Audacity of Hope" was due to carry 36 passengers, four crew and about 10 members of the media. Its attempt to sail Friday night from the port of Perama, near Athens, was thwarted by coast guard speedboats.