Sao Paulo, May 12 (SANA) Brazilian activist Thiago Avila said on Monday that he was tortured and witnessed abuses against Palestinian prisoners during his detention in Israel after participating in a flotilla aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza.
Speaking to reporters after arriving at São Paulo International Airport on Monday following his deportation from Israel, Avila said: “My return is simply a correction of a serious violation. I was kidnapped by Israel, not imprisoned.”
Avila said he and fellow activist Saif Abu Keshek from Spain endured “all kinds of abuses” during their detention, adding that Palestinian prisoners held in nearby cells faced harsher treatment.
The activists were part of the “Global Freedom Flotilla,” which departed from Spain on April 12 carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and seeking to challenge the Israeli blockade.
Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters at dawn on April 30, detaining Avila and Abu Keshek before transferring them to a detention center.
More than 100 other pro-Palestinian activists from the flotilla were taken to Crete, according to reports.
M.F / ABD
