Thursday 11 November 2010

10 AID WORKERS (INCLUDING 2 MAVI MARMARA SURVIVORS) HELD HOSTAGE ON GREEK-OWNED SHIP, AFTER SHIP OWNER ARGUES WITH AGENT



PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY
Wednesday 10th November, 2010
23.15 GMT - LONDON
UK AID WORKERS (INCLUDING 2 MAVI MARMARA SURVIVORS) HELD HOSTAGE ON GREEK-OWNED SHIP, AFTER SHIP OWNER ARGUES WITH EGYPTIAN BROKER
DERNA PORT, LIBYA
"Strofades IV" has broken its moorings, without port permission, and is heading out of Derna Harbour.
The rear door of the ship is half closed, with convoy vehicle B7 stuck on it precariously. It is extremely dangerous.
In the lower deck of the Ro-Ro (rollon rolloff) ship are held hostage:
3 Libyans - (2 port authority policemen, with Colonel Salahuddin Rashin, Manager of Derna Port)
1 Moroccan
1 Algerian
2 Irish
6 UK nationals
The violent Greek owner who is also its captain of "Strofades IV" has just disembarked (as at 22.50 GMT) through a side door of the ship, onto a speed boat. His speed boat has made for another cargo vessel in Derna the harbour - "Odin Finder".
None of our guys now know who is in charge of Strofades IV, or where it is destined to go.
The ship is empty, apart from the hostages and single convoy vehicle jammed in the doorway. It is making rapid headway to get out to sea.
The matter is a serious breach of every maritime law possible.
We have asked all relevant Embassies to supply urgent, immediate, consular assistance.
We are EXTREMELY concerned for the safety of all the nationals on board.
For further info, please contact:
Ellie Merton
London Liaison
Road to Hope, Convoy to Gaza
+44 7770 376701
elliemerton@gmail.com

**LATEST NEWS**
3.45pm GMT 12 Nov 2010
RELIEF! xxxxxx has PHONED from Ship currently docked at "a" Greek Harbour.
ALL ARE "SAFE".
Greek commandos "being lovely, speaking english looking after us really well, very sympathetic".
Expecting to walk onto dry land very soon, being looked after by Greek authorities.
UK embassy staff there, to support our guys.
***LATEST NEWS**

1 comment:

  1. I have a personal friend on this trip- please AIM family, spread this far and wide, any additional information can be obtained from Ellie as per the contact details, try to avoid calling as her phone has been tied up all day. Muchos Amores ~RC~

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