Brazilian activist alleges torture during detention in Israel after flotilla interception

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila speaks out after his release from Israeli custody, accusing authorities of abuse during his flotilla detention.

Brazilian Activist Thiago Avila, detained aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, appears at a court in Beersheba, southern Israel, May 6, 2026.

(photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)

ByREUTERS

MAY 12, 2026 07:35

Updated: MAY 12, 2026 10:43

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila arrived back in Sao Paulo on Monday after his detention and deportation from Israel, where he claimed to have endured torture and observed mistreatment of Palestinian detainees over 10 days in custody.

Avila, along with Spanish national Abu Keshek, joined the second Global Sumud Flotilla that set off from Spain on April 12 to challenge Israel's Gaza blockade with humanitarian aid. Israeli forces intercepted the vessel in international waters, leading to their arrest and transfer to Israel, while over 100 other pro-Palestinian participants were redirected to Crete.

The pair faced charges of potentially aiding an enemy and engaging with a terrorist organization, accusations they firmly rejected. They were freed on Saturday and transferred to immigration officials for deportation proceedings.

"My return marks the fixing of a grave injustice. Israel kidnapped me - I was not legitimately imprisoned," Avila stated to journalists upon landing at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport.

Allegations of mistreatment, torture, and numerous violations

Avila asserted that he and Abu Keshek endured "all kinds of violations" in detention, with Palestinian inmates in adjacent cells facing even harsher conditions.

Israeli officials rejected assertions from human rights organization Adalah, which advocated for the activists during an Israeli court session, insisting that no torture occurred and all actions complied fully with legal standards.

Both Spain and Brazil's governments have condemned the detentions as illegal.

"We must overcome (Israeli Prime Minister) Netanyahu and (US President) Donald Trump - we must hold the war criminals accountable," Avila declared, as supporters nearby displayed placards urging Brazil to sever relations with Israel.

Gaza remains under the control of Hamas, a Palestinian group labeled as terrorist by Israel and many Western nations.

Hamas's assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, ignited the ongoing Gaza conflict, displacing vast numbers of residents and leaving them reliant on aid that relief organizations describe as insufficiently delivered.