Five Finnish activists, Iida-Liina Häkkinen (L to R), Kata-Riina Tikka, Renaz Ebrahimi, Juho Pirhonen and Shifa Abdi at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Vantaa, Finland on 7th October, 2025. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva
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Five Finnish citizens detained by Israel after taking part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have returned home, describing their treatment in detention as cruel and degrading.
The activists landed at Helsinki–Vantaa Airport on Tuesday afternoon, where dozens of supporters greeted them with flowers and Palestinian flags. Chants of “Free, free Palestine” echoed through the arrivals hall as the group, Renaz Ebrahimi, Juho Pirhonen, Iida-Liina Häkkinen, Kata-Riina Tikka, and Shifa Abdi, appeared before the media.
Israel intercepted the flotilla in international waters last week, detaining over 400 people from several countries. The convoy was reportedly carrying food and medical supplies intended for Gaza. Among those deported were 171 activists, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The Finnish participants said they spent four to five days in detention before being released and flown out of Israel via Greece. They described being kept in cold conditions, denied sleep and food, and restrained for long periods.
“We were tied up and left sitting outside for hours,” said Häkkinen, who recalled being forced to sit on the ground with her hands bound behind her back. “They shouted and threatened us when we did not obey. They wanted to humiliate those who stand with Palestinians.”
Abdi said guards blindfolded detainees during transfers and sometimes threw them to the ground while handcuffing them. “It was frightening,” she said. “We were kept awake by guards banging on the cell doors or turning the lights on.”
Pirhonen, a doctor, said detainees were denied access to necessary medicines. “I was without my medication for 36 hours,” he told reporters. “There were people having asthma attacks, and no one reacted for over an hour.”
Ebrahimi said the tap water was brown and unfit to drink. “We were hungry, cold and constantly afraid,” she said. “It was mental violence. But compared with what Palestinians face, we were treated well.”
According to Pirhonen, the purpose of the flotilla had been to deliver aid to Gaza and draw attention to the ongoing blockade. He said the Israeli response was meant to intimidate. “They wanted to scare us,” he said. “There was also a lot of debate about whether they would even let us leave.”
When asked about Finnish consular support, the activists said official help was minimal. “The Foreign Ministry warned us not to go,” Pirhonen said. “They did nothing for us once we were detained.”
The Finnish Foreign Ministry confirmed that its consular staff had met the detainees while in custody. Hanna Lepistö, head of consular affairs, said officials had not identified any major shortcomings during their visit. “The Finnish citizens did not appear to be in serious distress,” she said, adding that the ministry’s role included ensuring access to legal counsel and interpreters.
Activists disputed that account. They said it was the Greek authorities who arranged a plane large enough to bring home both Greek nationals and other released detainees, including the Finnish group.
At the airport, the activists thanked those who had supported them. “The whole world has woken up,” Ebrahimi said. “People now see that action is needed.”
Supporters waved flags and held placards calling for an end to the Gaza blockade and in solidarity with the detained group. Family members embraced the activists as they walked into the terminal.
Pirhonen said the group’s mission achieved one unexpected result. “For a short time, while the Israeli forces were focused on us, Gaza’s fishermen were able to go out and fish,” he said.
According to the Finnish activists, their ordeal highlighted a wider issue. “What we went through was nothing compared to the tens of thousands of Palestinians still trapped in those conditions,” Pirhonen said.
Israel has not commented on the specific allegations made by the Finnish detainees.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
