Domenico Centrone and Leonarda Alberizia will still remain in Libyan prisons. The Libyan Prosecutor, the Farnesina announced, has ordered the continuation of precautionary custody for the two compatriots until the next hearing. The activists were part of the Global sumud land convoy, a humanitarian expedition by land that wanted to bring assistance and support to the population of Gaza as well as the Flotilla intercepted in recent weeks.
The commitment of the Farnesina
“The Consul General in Benghazi has presented a new formal request for a consular visit to the two Italians”, reports a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The Farnesina, the Italian embassy in Tripoli and the Consulate General in Benghazi continue to follow the matter in conjunction with the local authorities in order to allow the return of compatriots to Italy as soon as possible”, continues the press note. Which ensures constant commitment to the benefit of compatriots still detained.
Who are the activists and what were they doing in Libya
Domenico Centrone, 33 years old, is originally from Molfetta (Bari). He is a teacher and university lecturer. Like Leonarda Alberizia, a 67-year-old former teacher living in Albugnano (Asti), he joined the land caravan to make a concrete contribution to the Palestinian cause.
The two had left together with over 200 people on the Global sumud land convoy expedition. On May 15, more than thirty vehicles, including seven equipped ambulances and twenty mobile homes, equipped with medical supplies and other humanitarian aid, began the long overland journey to reach Gaza via the Rafah crossing in Egypt. On May 24, however, the convoy was intercepted in the eastern part of Libya, a country divided by internal conflicts and split between the authority of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah (recognized by the international community) and General Khalifa Haftar.
After passing a checkpoint in Sirte, the convoy was intercepted by Haftar’s militias in Cyrenaica. Ten activists were transferred to Benghazi where they are still detained. They are accused of illegally entering the country.