Brazilian members of the flotilla kidnapped by Israel remain incommunicado and without access to diplomatic support.
Activists from the Sumud Global Flotilla remain detained in Ashdod; Brazilian diplomats report refusal to make contact.
247 - Twenty-four hours after the capture of members of the Global Sumud flotilla by Israeli forces, the 12 Brazilians who participated in the initiative remain incommunicado and without access to consular support, reports Agência Brasil. The group is being held in the port of Ashdod, Israel, where they remain kidnapped without contact with lawyers or diplomatic representatives.
Brazilian diplomats tried twice to visit the activists, but the request was refused even after they claimed the detainees were already being interrogated. This episode intensifies the pressure on the Brazilian government, which is seeking to guarantee the right to consular assistance for the captured citizens.
Refusal to make contact and an atmosphere of uncertainty.
Lara Souza, wife of activist Thiago Ávila, reported that all Brazilians remain isolated. "He was not allowed contact with the Brazilian embassy. Neither he, nor any of the other Brazilians," she stated.
She explained that lawyers informed the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) about the interrogations taking place, but the embassy was again denied access. “We received information from lawyers that interrogations were underway. I informed Itamaraty of this. They contacted us to try again, but were denied a meeting with the Brazilians,” said Souza.
Reasons given by Israel
According to Israeli authorities, the refusal to make contact was justified by the religious holiday of Yom Kippur, which would prevent the usual consular procedures from being carried out. The Brazilian embassy in Israel stated that the expectation is that the first contact with Brazilians will only take place from this Friday (3).
Capture in international waters
In total, around 500 people who were part of the flotilla were kidnapped in international waters by Israeli forces. Among the appointed lawyers, only one professional has reportedly received authorization to enter Ashdod, but has not yet been able to provide official information about the detainees' condition.
Two Brazilians remain without official confirmation.
In addition to the 12 activists already confirmed as detainees, two other Brazilians remain without any official information from Israel: João Aguiar, who was aboard the boat. Mikeno, and Miguel de Castro, in CatalinaBoth have been missing since the flotilla was intercepted.
The situation of the detained Brazilians is increasing the concern of family members and authorities, who are pressing for answers regarding the conditions in which the activists are being held and the guarantees of their fundamental rights.
