The Global Sumud Flotilla activists, who were detained by Israeli forces in recent days in international waters off the coast of Cyprus and then sent to Israel, have arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
According to reports, the flotilla members, including Albanian Baki Goxhaj, departed from Eilat airport in Israel on three Turkish Airlines charter flights to Istanbul, from where they are expected to continue their journey to their respective countries.
Meanwhile, 5 Star Movement MP Dario Carotenuto and “Il Fatto Quotidiano” journalist Alessandro Mantovani, who were on one of the flotilla ships detained by Israeli authorities, returned to Italy this morning.
Both have stated that they faced mistreatment and torture during their detention in Israel. According to Italian media, the Rome Prosecutor’s Office is expected to provide the video released by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir with the detained activists, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has called on the European Union to impose sanctions against him.
Carotenuto and Mantovani arrived in Italy via Fiumicino Airport, on a regular flight from Athens. They were welcomed by several political representatives and activists, including Democratic Party deputy Arturo Scotto and Five Star Movement deputy Arnaldo Lomuti.
Francesco Silvestri, Andrea Quartini, Alessandra Maiorino and Valentina Dorso were also present at the airport. Mantovani was also welcomed by his mother, Maria Gabriella, the deputy editor of “Il Fatto Quotidiano”, Maddalena Oliva, and the activist Tony La Piccirella.
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