Brazilian activist Thiago Avilla has publicly demanded the immediate release of four Tunisian colleagues who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla`s humanitarian mission to break the blockade on Gaza. According to Al Jazeera and the Associated Press, Avilla issued the appeal in a video message posted on social media on Tuesday, highlighting the prolonged detention of the activists in North Africa. The international flotilla originally set sail in August 2025 with dozens of boats carrying vital supplies before being intercepted and detained by Israeli authorities.
Following their initial release from Israeli custody, Nabil Channoufi, Ghassan Henchiri, Ghassan Boughdiri, and Wael Naouar returned to Tunisia in October. However, fellow activists reported that Tunisian counterterrorism police rearrested the four men in February after they announced plans for a subsequent maritime aid mission to deliver relief supplies to Gaza. The group has since been held in Tunis`s Mornaguia Prison for over five months amid ongoing legal uncertainty.
In March, United Kingdom-based news outlet Morning Star reported that the Tunisian National Guard financial crimes unit detained the activists over alleged money laundering, fraud, and misuse of campaign donations collected for the flotilla initiative. Family members and human rights advocates state that the detainees have faced prolonged confinement without transparent legal proceedings. The Tunisian government has not issued any public statements addressing the detentions.
In his video address, Avilla emphasized that no individual should be separated from their families or imprisoned for acting in global solidarity with Palestinians facing severe humanitarian crises. He underscored the deep historical bonds between the Tunisian people and the Palestinian cause, calling for immediate international attention to secure the freedom of the detained organizers as advocacy networks amplify pressure on local authorities.
