12/11/2010
Irish Nationals On Aid Ship Held
Two Irish nationals onboard a ship originally heading for Gaza are instead being taken to the Greek island of Crete against their will, it has emerged.
The two men are among a group of activists who sent out a mayday message yesterday after their ship was redirected and its crew taken hostage over what is believed to be a disagreement with the ships captain over money.
Ken O'Keefe and David Callander are among activists attempting to breach Israel's siege of Gaza as part of the 'Road to Hope' convoy.
Their ship, the 'Strofades IV' and the 10 people onboard were taken hostage last night off the coast of Lybia and are thought to be bound for Crete last night where it is believed the Captain is planning to hand them over to the Grecian immigration authorities.
Mr Callander, who is from Tyrone, was part of an aid convoy to Palestine last Christmas.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and its UK counterpart were last night urging Libyan and Greek authorities to intervene. It is not clear who took the group hostage, or for what reason, although there are suggestions that the ship's captain may be protesting in a row about money.
(DW/KMcA)
The two men are among a group of activists who sent out a mayday message yesterday after their ship was redirected and its crew taken hostage over what is believed to be a disagreement with the ships captain over money.
Ken O'Keefe and David Callander are among activists attempting to breach Israel's siege of Gaza as part of the 'Road to Hope' convoy.
Their ship, the 'Strofades IV' and the 10 people onboard were taken hostage last night off the coast of Lybia and are thought to be bound for Crete last night where it is believed the Captain is planning to hand them over to the Grecian immigration authorities.
Mr Callander, who is from Tyrone, was part of an aid convoy to Palestine last Christmas.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and its UK counterpart were last night urging Libyan and Greek authorities to intervene. It is not clear who took the group hostage, or for what reason, although there are suggestions that the ship's captain may be protesting in a row about money.
(DW/KMcA)
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