The Global Sumud Flotilla reported this Wednesday that the ten activists held in eastern Libya for a month, while part of a convoy intended to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, have finally left the North African country after being released from prison.
"After 30 days of captivity, the 'ten' from Sirte have finally been freed," the organization celebrated on its social media profiles, from where they also expressed their gratitude to "all those who have defended their cause, supported them, and shown solidarity."
The statement was made public once the six activists who still remained in Libyan territory landed this Wednesday afternoon in the Turkish city of Istanbul. They are Jelle Jones, from the United States; Ana Margarida Baptista, from Portugal; and Laura Kwoczala, from Poland; in addition to Argentinians María Giménez and Lucas Aguilera and Spaniard Alicia Armesto.
The other four members of the group --Achraf Khoja (Tunisia), Domenico Centrone and Leonarda Alberizia (both Italian), and Matías Rodríguez (Uruguay)-- arrived "safe and sound" last night in Tunisia, as detailed by the Flotilla.
The Global Sumud Land Caravan initiative had reported at the end of May the arrest of these ten activists by the authorities in eastern Libya, when they were trying to negotiate the passage of the convoy at a checkpoint near the city of Sirte. The convoy was carrying ten trucks with humanitarian aid, seven ambulances, and more than 200 people, including specialists in medicine, engineering, logistics, and International Humanitarian Law.
At that time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the government based in eastern Libya --not internationally recognized-- explained that the arrest occurred because the activists had entered its jurisdiction "without completing the legal procedures and obtaining the necessary permits" to continue their route to Gaza.
This same Ministry announced on Tuesday the start of the deportation process for the activists "in compliance with the decision issued by the Attorney General of the Benghazi Court of Appeal," emphasizing that the execution of the ruling "is in line with respect for the sovereignty of the Libyan State" and stressing that this aims to ensure "the preservation of public order and national security."