Maltese, Libyans call for release of arrested ship and crew in Tripoli

Parking two trucks on the Mriehel bypass opposite the Libyan Embassy, businessman Carmel Dimech, his son and Libyan national Monsof Shwedi protested together with a handful of Maltese and Libyan nationals, to call on Libyan authorities to release the M/V Azzurra currently being 'held' in Tripoli's port.

Dimech, a cargo contractor helping businessmen export goods to Libya, expressed hope that the protest will "send out a clear message for the ship to be released."

"We are protesting for my workers and my vehicles and equipment to be released. It has been 15 days now.  The embassy knows we are out here. I came with my trucks and we are just waiting for others to come," Dimech told MaltaToday.

Only three Maltese nationals out of the five Maltese aboard the ship were confirmed to have made it back to Malta, but Dimech said that one of his workers is still "stuck there".

"It's highly unlikely that the Turkish captain and ship master will return to Libya after all this. They were removed from the ship for interrogation, when they should never have left the ship," Dimech said.

By midday, just six people totalled the number of persons 'protesting' and they sat around waiting hopefully for more people to come as promised.

The Moldovan-flagged ferry M/V Azzurra is chartered by Maltese company Zammit Group and Turkish company Fergun Shipping, and has been in service since last November, ferrying passengers and goods to Tripoli twice a week.

Monsof Shwedi, a self-employed tradesman, blamed Libyan business giant Husni Bey for the ship's arrest in Tripoli, claiming the HB Group's chairman is influencing Libyan authorities to stop Maltese traders. "He is making it too expensive for anyone to trade in Libya, causing some €200,000 in losses every day for Maltese businesses."

Shwedi claimed with MaltaToday that the issue holding the M/V Azzurra in Tripoli is down to  "stuff which has to do with Gaddafi, I'm sure of it. I have a letter which proves that there is something suspicious going on."

The embassy's security guard, Osama Annrgar, also left his post to chat with his friends and show his support. "It's a pity that this has happened to them because these are the same people who used to help Libya by delivering water and food during the conflict. They're my friends and they should be allowed to work to earn a living," Anngrar said.

"They're just here to deliver the message and call for the ship's released. Half of them can't even work because the ship is their livelihood," he said.

Some 15 days ago, the ship was reportedly greeted at Tripoli harbour by armed police officers.

While passengers and cargo were allowed to disembark, port authorities denied the same to the crew who were told that they were under investigation for contraband.

Dimech said that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had already sent for the embassy's officials to do something about the situation. "But we haven't been told anything else apart from that."

Asked by MaltaToday about the smuggling accusations, Dimech said he had nothing to do with it. "My company had nothing to do with the alleged smuggling of things like whiskey and diesel. We were abiding by regulations and played no part in it."

Another person who joined the protest later said, "We're allowed to work for one day and stopped for 10. It's ridiculous."