A prominent member of the activist group has been accused of sexual misconduct. Thunberg's flotilla set sail amid controversy, but the accused has denied all allegations.

Before Greta Thunberg’s Freedom Flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona to Gaza on Sunday, reached its destination, a scandal erupted in the headlines. A senior member of the steering committee allegedly engaged in sexual relations with multiple activists aboard the ship during the ongoing mission.

A Brazilian organization has identified activist Thiago Ávila as the suspected primary perpetrator. (Photo: AFP)

“A senior leader of the flotilla had sexual relations with several activists on board,” stated the Palestinian Heart group. “Not with one person. Not with two. With three different individuals,” they emphasized, as reported by the Austrian publication Exxpress. Critics claim these were volunteers who were organizationally subordinate to the official.

“The fact that someone has subservient volunteers clearly violates ethics and power dynamics,” they said.

A Brazilian group identified activist Thiago Ávila as the alleged main perpetrator, with the accusations reported by the media watchdog Honest Reporting, which led to an immediate backlash against the flotilla and its crew on social media. A leftist group commented: “A Brazilian shows up on a humanitarian aid ship, and all he can do is have sex, then he gets arrested.”

Lefty love boat: Greta Thunberg’s freedom flotilla rocked by sexual misconduct allegations https://t.co/oDihFzx0vg pic.twitter.com/KiDCYG7nuH

— New York Post (@nypost) April 18, 2026

Ávila is no stranger to the public eye: he had previously traveled on the Madleen ship alongside Greta Thunberg in June, as noted by The New York Post.

Organizationally, previous missions have been far from smooth. The large flotilla convoy in September was plagued by significant internal conflicts. At that time, Greta Thunberg stepped down from the steering committee and even left the main ship. Observers reported that the leadership was too preoccupied with internal disputes and paid too little attention to Gaza.

The journey turned into a farce: the ship’s radio was hacked, and songs by the Swedish pop group ABBA were played over the speakers – seemingly as a deliberate provocation.

“This is a lie,” stated Ávila in defense. He rejects all current accusations: “These claims are clearly untrue,” he asserted. According to him, the internal ethics committee found no irregularities. “We are comrades, and nothing like this has ever happened,” he said.

One of the involved activists, Lisi Proenca, also spoke of misleading claims. She described the situation as “lies,” asserting that it was merely a matter of cultural differences. She stated that close physical contact, hugs, and shared rooms are normal among Brazilians.

The case is sensitive for the flotilla not only because of the accusations themselves. It reflects a mission that critics have previously described as a mix of activism, self-promotion, and spectacle, with the sex scandal only exacerbating the situation. While Gaza struggles with hardships, observers described the opening event in Barcelona as almost festival-like – complete with concerts, a stage, and a celebratory atmosphere. “We would expect the mobilization to reflect the necessary respect and seriousness. Instead, we see a festive mood,” explained the Palestinian Reveals group.

Moreover, financial questions remain unresolved. The flotilla plans to raise approximately $3.5 million – with no public list of donors. Critics doubt that the money will actually reach Gaza.

A Palestinian journalist quoted a local resident who said, “It would have been better to donate the money directly to Gaza rather than throw it uselessly into the sea.” For Greta Thunberg, the scandal is particularly uncomfortable. Her name guarantees maximum attention – and inevitably places the issue in the spotlight.