Italy Announces Release of Flotilla Activists Detained in Libya

ROME, June 23 (Reuters) – Italy’s ⁠Foreign ⁠Minister Antonio ⁠Tajani said on Tuesday two ​Italian pro-Palestinian campaigners detained in Libya had ‌been released after spending ‌about a month in ⁠custody.

• ⁠Israeli forces last month arrested hundreds of people ​on board dozens of ships in international waters, to halt Global Sumud ​Flotilla volunteers trying to bring aid ⁠supplies to ⁠the Gaza Strip.

• ⁠In ​a post on social media platform X, ​Tajani said ⁠the two Italians had been handed over to Italy’s consul in Benghazi, along with a Uruguayan national ⁠who also holds Italian citizenship.

• The people held ⁠in Libya were part of a separate group of Flotilla activists who tried to reach the Palestinian enclave by land.

• According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, the activists had staged a hunger ⁠strike in protest at their detention and alleged mistreatment.

• Tajani said they were due to return to Italy ​on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Angelo AmanteEditing ​by Gareth Jones)

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