Italian prisoner accused of Hamas financing appears in video sermon praising Gaza fighters

Riyad Albustanji, a Palestinian activist held in an Italian prison on allegations of financing Hamas, praised Gaza fighters and invoked martyrdom during a video call from his cell. Footage of the sermon was posted to social media. Italian prosecutors allege he belonged to a network that transferred money to Hamas through charitable organizations.

Riyad Albustanji, a Palestinian activist held in a high-security Italian prison on allegations of financing Hamas, praised fighters in Gaza and invoked martyrdom during a video call that later appeared on social media, according to a report by Il Giornale. 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. During the video call, Albustanji spoke with relatives in Arabic and delivered a religious sermon addressing the war in Gaza and the Palestinian struggle against Israel. He 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.' Il Giornale said parts of the sermon resembled terminology associated with Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups. Albustanji was arrested with Mohammad Hannoun and other suspects in December 2025 in a Genoa prosecutors' investigation into alleged financial support for Hamas.