Brazilian activist Thiago Avila issued a video message on Tuesday (local time) urging Tunisia's authorities to release four Tunisian activists who have been imprisoned for over 170 days following their arrest in connection with the Sumud Flotilla campaign aimed at breaking Israel's blockade of Gaza.
The campaign group said the four—Nabil Channoufi, Ghassan Henchiri, Ghassan Boughdiri, and Wael Naouar—took part in the voyage of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which departed from Tunisia in August 2025 to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. However, they were intercepted and detained by Israeli forces.
After being released and returning to Tunisia in late October 2025, all four were re-arrested by Tunisian counterterrorism police in February, shortly after they announced plans for a new mission to supply Gaza.
In his video message, Avila expressed concern over the health of one of them, Wael Naouar, who had been fasting for at least seven days and showed signs of serious distress. "No one should be detained and separated from their family simply for showing solidarity with a people who are victims of genocide," he said.
According to family members and fellow activists, the four are being held at Mornaguia prison in the capital, Tunis, on charges related to money laundering, fraud, and misuse of donations collected for Sumud Flotilla support campaigns. The Tunisian authorities have not made any public comment on the case.
Sumud Flotilla is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international network that has repeatedly organized boat convoys to Gaza since 2010. In addition to last year's campaign, another convoy was intercepted by Israeli forces in April.
Activists accuse the Tunisian government of seeking to prevent these operations, even though the country is often used as a departure point for humanitarian convoys, especially from the northern port of Sidi Bou Said. They also allege that gatherings and events related to these campaigns have been suppressed.
