Lara Souza Speaks Out After Thiago Avila’s Detention
The wife of Brazilian pro-Palestine activist Thiago Avila has accused Israeli authorities of mistreating him after he was detained during a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission.
In an interview recorded in Brasilia on Thursday, Avila’s wife, Lara Souza, said communication with him was cut after Israeli forces intercepted vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla on April 30. She alleged irregularities, threats and abuses during and after the operation.
“The last time Thiago and I spoke was on the day of the illegal interception,” Souza said. “We had a call about an hour before it happened.”
Souza said the mission involved around 80 vessels and more than 1,000 participants from several countries. She said at least 22 boats were intercepted on the same day Avila was detained.
Family Claims Interception Happened in International Waters
She claimed the interception took place in international waters near Greece, more than 1,000 kilometres from Israeli territory, and described the operation as illegal.
“We know that interception is always a risk in flotillas, but they were very far away,” Souza said. “They were more than 1,000 kilometres from Israeli territory. They were in international waters, near the territory of Greece. All of this made the probability of an interception at that point in the mission seem very low. It was a shock to see how far they advanced in aggression.”
Souza also said Avila’s mother, who became bedridden after suffering several strokes in 2006, died while he was in detention. She said the family has not been able to tell him because direct communication with him has been cut off.
“It was a shock for us,” Souza said. “Thiago still doesn’t know. We have no way to speak directly with him. I’m very afraid of the effect that would have.”
Allegations of Threats and Abuse in Custody
Souza further alleged that Avila had been subjected to lengthy interrogations while in custody.
“He also reported repeated and very long interrogations, lasting more than eight hours. During those interrogations, there were physical and psychological threats. They told him they would break his entire body so he would never participate in humanitarian missions again, or that they would kill him, or that he would spend more than 100 years in prison. There were also threats against our family,” she said.
Avila was detained after the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission bound for Gaza, was intercepted by the Israeli Navy. Most activists were disembarked in Crete, but Avila and Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abu Keshek were taken to Israel, a move criticised by legal groups and the Brazilian government.
Avila is being held at Shikma prison in Ashkelon. An Israeli court extended his detention on May 5, and his next hearing is scheduled for May 10.
The Israeli foreign ministry has said the claims of torture are “false and baseless”. Israel has always denied any mistreatment of detainees, saying all are treated in accordance with international law.
