Portuguese activist among Gaza convoy detainees set to be released from Libya

A Portuguese activist detained in Libya for nearly a month after taking part in a humanitarian convoy bound for Gaza is expected to be released at any moment, according to organisers of the mission.

The Global Sumud flotilla announced on Tuesday evening that it had received confirmation that the 10 activists held by Libyan authorities since late May were “in the process of being released”.

Among those awaiting release is Portuguese citizen Ana Margarida, who has been detained alongside activists from Spain, the United States, Poland and Argentina.

“After 30 days of illegal detention in Libya, we have received confirmation that the ten volunteers abducted from our humanitarian convoy are in the process of being released,” the organisation said in a statement posted on social media.

According to the group, four activists from Tunisia, Italy and Uruguay had already crossed into Tunisia by Tuesday evening, while the remaining detainees were expected to be released within 24 hours.

The announcement came hours after authorities in eastern Libya confirmed that deportation procedures had begun following a decision by the Attorney General of the Benghazi Court of Appeal.

In a statement, the foreign ministry of the eastern Libyan administration said the necessary legal and administrative steps were being taken to implement the ruling in accordance with national legislation.

The Portuguese government has been monitoring the case closely through its embassy in Tunis, as Portugal does not have an embassy in Libya.

Last week, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said Portuguese consular officials had met Ana Margarida for the first time since her detention and found her to be in good physical health.

“Obviously, from a psychological point of view, it is a very difficult situation because she remains in detention awaiting trial, a process that could still take a few weeks, for an alleged offence of taking part in a demonstration,” Rangel also noted at the time.

He also noted that European Union member states had been exerting pressure on Libyan authorities to secure the release of detained European citizens.

The activists were part of the Global Sumud Land Caravan to Gaza, a humanitarian convoy comprising 10 aid trucks, seven ambulances and more than 200 participants, including medical professionals, engineers and humanitarian specialists.

The convoy departed from Mauritania before being stopped at a checkpoint near the Libyan city of Sirte.

Libyan authorities subsequently detained several participants, including Ana Margarida, who was accused of taking part in a demonstration.

The release process is now expected to conclude over the coming days, allowing the remaining activists to return to their home countries.

Source: LUSA

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.