Israel deported activist Thiago Ávila in the early hours of this Sunday (10), imprisoned since April 29, when Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla in which the Brazilian was heading to the Gaza Strip.
In addition to Ávila, who was also arrested during the interception of the flotilla, he was deported.
Confirmation of the deportations took place this Sunday, made by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a publication in X.
In the statement, Israel states that “following the conclusion of its investigation, the two professional provocateurs, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila, from , were deported today.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that Abu Keshek was suspected of links to a terrorist organization and Avila was suspected of illegal activities. Both denied the accusations.
After their investigation was completed, the two professional provocateurs, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila, from the provocation flotilla, were deported today from Israel. Israel will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA)
Still in the publication, the authority states that “Israel will not allow any violation of the legal naval blockade on Gaza.”
A CNN contacted Itamaraty, but there was no response.
Brazil and Spain say detention was illegal
The governments of Spain and Brazil stated that , but the Magistrates Court of Ashkelon, in Israel, .
Human rights group Adalah, which assisted in their legal defense and also asserted that the detention was illegal, said Abu Keshek and Ávila were informed that they would be released from detention this Saturday (9) and handed over to the custody of immigration authorities until their deportation.
“Adalah is closely monitoring developments to ensure that his release from detention occurs, followed by his deportation from Israel in the coming days,” the group said. Israeli authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.
Israeli authorities held them on suspicion of crimes including aiding the enemy and contacting a terrorist group.
Gaza is largely administered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by Israel and much of the West.
The group’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 began the Gaza war, which has left much of the enclave’s population homeless and dependent on aid — which, according to humanitarian agencies, is arriving very slowly.]
*with information from Reuters
