ByDARIO SANCHEZ/THE MEDIA LINE

Riyad Albustanji, a Palestinian activist held in a high-security Italian prison on allegations of financing Hamas, praised fighters in Gaza, invoked martyrdom and called for divine punishment against Israel and its allies during a video call that later appeared on social media, Il Giornale reported Thursday. 

Albustanji, known among supporters as “the sheikh,” is detained in the high-security section of Bancali prison in Sassari, Sardinia. Italian prosecutors allege he belonged to a network that transferred money to Hamas through organizations formally operating as humanitarian charities. 

Il Giornale reported that Albustanji spoke with relatives in Arabic during the video call and delivered a religious sermon addressing the war in Gaza and the Palestinian struggle against Israel. People managing his social media accounts subsequently posted footage of the conversation, according to the newspaper, which said its publication may violate prison regulations. 

Albustanji appealed to God to grant victory to “Your fighters in Gaza, in Palestine” and to “guide their shots,” according to Il Giornale’s transcription. He also prayed for their wounded, martyrs, and prisoners and invoked martyrdom for himself and others “for Your cause.” 

Another passage called upon God to employ believers “for the liberation of Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.” Albustanji also sought divine punishment against “the criminal Zionists and all their allies” and called for fear and anguish among his enemies and the destruction of their possessions. 

Demonstrators wave Palestinian flags and hold banners depicting Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who was arrested by Italian authorities over alleged funding of Hamas through charities, during a march in support of the Askatasuna social centre in Turin, Italy.
Demonstrators wave Palestinian flags and hold banners depicting Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who was arrested by Italian authorities over alleged funding of Hamas through charities, during a march in support of the Askatasuna social centre in Turin, Italy. (credit: Michele Lapini/Reuters)


Il Giornale said parts of the sermon resembled terminology associated with Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups, including references to armed “resistance,” fighters, martyrs and prisoners.

Albustanji was arrested in 2025 over alleged financial support for Hamas

For more stories from The Media Line go to themedialine.org

Albustanji was arrested with Mohammad Hannoun and other suspects in December 2025 in a Genoa prosecutors’ investigation into alleged financial support for Hamas. 

ANSA reported September 18 that prosecutors had concluded their preliminary investigation into Albustanji, Hannoun and four other suspects. Albustanji, Hannoun, Yaser Elasaly and Raed Dawoud remained in high-security detention at that time. 
Prosecutors allege that charitable organizations collecting donations ostensibly for Palestinian civilians transferred funds benefiting Hamas. The defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.