Brazilian activist Thiago Avila returned to Brazil late Monday (11 May) after being deported from Israel. He alleges he was tortured and mistreated during 10 days in detention following the interception of a pro-Palestinian aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza.
Avila and Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek were detained after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Crete last week as it attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to the Strip and challenge Israel’s naval blockade.
The flotilla, consisting of 22 boats carrying around 175 activists, had departed Spain on 12 April.
While more than 100 activists were taken back to Crete and released, Avila and Abu Keshek were transferred to Israel and held on suspicion of offences including aiding the enemy and contact with a terrorist organisation.
Both men denied the accusations.
“My return was simply a correction of a serious violation. I was kidnapped by Israel, I wasn’t imprisoned,” Avila told reporters after arriving at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport.
Avila claimed he and Abu Keshek endured “all kinds of violations” while in custody and said Palestinian detainees held nearby faced even harsher treatment.
Rights group Adalah, which represented the two activists in Israeli court proceedings, alleged the pair were subjected to psychological abuse during detention in Ashkelon.
Allegations include prolonged interrogations, constant bright lighting, isolation and blindfolded transfers, including during medical examinations.
The activists also staged a hunger strike during their detention, while Adalah said Abu Keshek additionally refused water from 5 May.
Israeli authorities rejected the allegations, saying all actions taken were lawful and in accordance with detention procedures.
In a statement posted on X, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the investigation into the activists had concluded and confirmed they had been deported.
The governments of Brazil and Spain, along with the United Nations, criticised the detention and called for the activists’ release.
Hadeel Abu Salih, a lawyer for Adalah, described the detention as “a sham proceeding with no legal basis”, arguing that the transfer of the activists to Israel violated international law.
The Global Sumud Flotilla accused European governments, particularly Greece, of remaining silent during the incident and demanded sanctions against Israel.
The case has added to growing international scrutiny over Israel’s blockade of Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian access to the Palestinian territory.
Humanitarian agencies and the United Nations say conditions in Gaza remain severe despite a ceasefire agreed six months ago, warning that aid deliveries continue to fall short of needs.
Russia and Ukraine have begun a localised ceasefire around the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, allowing humanitarian aid deliveries and evacuatio...
Romanian authorities say they have uncovered a sabotage network allegedly coordinated from Russia and linked to...
The Council of the European Union has approved a new support package worth nearly €4.9 billion ($5.4 billi...
Uzbekistan summoned Iran’s ambassador following claims by several Iranian diplomatic missions that the historical and architectural heritage of Samarkand belongs to Persian or Iranian-Islamic civilisation, Tashkent's Foreign Ministry said.
Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić has conceded defeat after a student-led protest movement took the majority of seats in Sunday's parliamentary elections.
Russian strikes hit several parts of Ukraine overnight, injuring at least six people and targeting energy and port infrastructure, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said U.S. warnings about imminent Russian ballistic missile attacks had resumed.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council says senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye will travel to Tehran to discuss regional security.
Protests against war and rising living costs took place in major Italian cities on Saturday, with some incidents of violence and clashes, a week after unrest erupted across the country.
Russia and Ukraine have begun a localised ceasefire around the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, allowing humanitarian aid deliveries and evacuations from the frontline area.
Romanian authorities say they have uncovered a sabotage network allegedly coordinated from Russia and linked to a fire near a defence manufacturing site in the central city of Brasov, underscoring growing concerns about hybrid threats targeting military infrastructure across Europe.
The Council of the European Union has approved a new support package worth nearly €4.9 billion ($5.4 billion) for Ukraine, reinforcing the bloc's military backing for Kyiv as it continues to defend itself against Russia's invasion.
Harry Kane has been crowned the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner, completing a journey that saw him rise from a young player struggling to break into Tottenham Hotspur's first team to one of the most prolific goalscorers in football history.
Washington and Ottawa are negotiating an agreement that would ease U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and autos, according to two U.S. and four Canadian sources, as the neighbours try to mend ties damaged when trade talks collapsed in August.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment