Activists Held on Gaza Ship Freed

Ten activists and three port officials were released over the weekend after Greek authorities found they had committed no crime.

The activists were on a mission to deliver aid to Gaza and were reportedly detained after a dispute with the ship’s captain. Following the dispute the ship broke its moorings at the Libyan port of Derna on Wednesday leaving behind seventy volunteers and the aid group’s cargo. The vessel that was supposed to travel from Libya to El Raidin, Egypt, instead arrived in Piraeus, Greece on Friday. The ships captain and an official from the ship company were held overnight and face abduction charges.

The ship’s Greek managers say the activists were never held against their will and report that they jumped on board the Strofades IV as it was about to sail for Greece.

However, the charity, supporting the mission, Road to Hope, claimed in a statement that the crew was being held hostage and that the ship was sailing out of port and the crew did not know who was in charge of it or where it was headed. The charity also said in a statement released Thursday, that the rear door of the ship was half closed, with a convoy vehicle B7 stuck on it.

Upon arrival in Piraeus, Greek commandos stormed the ship and would not allow the activists or the 16-member crew to disembark until proper legal documents were obtained. None of the crew or passengers had passports or other documents with them as the ship left unexpectedly. The ships captain and an official from the ship company were held overnight and face abduction charges.

On Monday, the activists received proper documentation and were allowed to disembark from the Malta flagged ship.

The ship’s manager, Greece based Ionian Bridge said Friday that the activists boarded the vessel without contract or charter despite claiming to have paid for transport. The company also reports that the ship’s captain feared the safety of the ship and crew so he abruptly set sail.

In addition to the 16 crew members, one Moroccan, one Algerian, two Irish and six UK nationals were among the activists involved in the incident, along with Libyan port officials who were onboard when the vessel rushed out of port.