UK journalists released in Libya

British journalists Gareth Montgomery-Johnson and Nicholas Davies

Πηγή: Times of Malta
March 19 2012

Two British journalists working for an Iranian broadcaster who were detained by a Libyan militia last month have been freed, the interior ministry said late yesterday.

"The interior ministry granted their release when it became obvious that no crime had been committed," deputy interior minister Omar al-Khadrawi told reporters in Tripoli.

"They have expressed a desire to leave Libya," he added.

The two journalists, Nicholas Davies and Gareth Montgomery-Johnson, were seated beside the official during the press conference, looking tired but healthy.

Afterwards, they left the ministry building in a British embassy car.

The two had travelled to Libya via Malta.

The Swehli militia from the western city of Misrata, which also operates in Tripoli, seized the pair last month while they were reportedly filming in a sensitive area of Tripoli late at night.

The commander of the militia, Faraj Swehli, charged last month that the two Britons, who were working for Iran's English-Language Press TV, were being held for illegal entry and possible espionage.

Swehli said suspicious conduct by the journalists led his men to track them as they moved around Tripoli and conducted interviews at various ministries of the interim government.

As evidence, he laid in front of journalists included a "Made in Israel" army field dressing and photographs of men -- who Swehli identified as the journalists in question -- carrying weapons.

On Wednesday, after extensive negotiations with interim authorities which had declared the detention illegal and after pressure from rights groups, the militia handed the journalists over to the interior ministry.

Government spokesman Mohammed al-Harizi had told AFP on Saturday that the two were still under investigation because there was "too much information (suggesting) they were in Libya for purposes other than journalism."

He said that they had been found in possession of a letter from Seif al-Islam, son of slain leader Moamer Kadhafi, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

Yesterday however, the deputy interior minister acknowledged that while there had been suspicions about their activities but told reporters their "innocence has been proven."

"What happened could not be considered as a kidnapping by revolutionaries," Khadrawi said, adding that former rebels had been acting in the interest of state security.

The two journalists were not given an opportunity to speak to the press.

When asked if he had been treated well, Montgomery-Johnson simply nodded.

A British embassy spokesman welcomed their release, adding that "the men have confirmed they are well and look forward to being reunited with their families soon."

Libya detainee Gareth Montgomery-Johnson 'almost unrecognisable' in call

Gareth Montgomery-Johnson (l) and Nicholas Davies were detained on 21 February

Πηγή: BBC
March 12 2012

The sister of a journalist detained in Libya on allegations of spying has spoken to him for the first time since he was captured three weeks ago.

Gareth Montgomery-Johnson, 36, from Carmarthen, a cameraman with Iranian TV network Press TV, reported experiencing "mental torture".

Mel Gribble said her brother called her from a consular phone on Sunday sounding "almost unrecognisable".

He is being held with fellow journalist Nicholas Davies from Berkshire.

The pair were taken into detention by the Misrata Brigade militia in Tripoli three weeks ago.'Faltered with emotion'

Ms Gribble said: "It was a state of urgency to glean as much as we could from the phonecall. There was background noise and his answers were mainly 'yes' or 'no'.

"My brother sounded almost unrecognisable and had to tell me who it was at first. His voice faltered with emotion and effort to remain composed."

Mr Montgomery-Johnson told Ms Gribble he was not being physically abused but when asked if he was experiencing mental torture, replied: "Mostly like that."

"I asked him if there was anything else I could do, having commented on how it was being dealt with at the highest level and much press output," Ms Gribble said.

"He emphasised to continue our efforts. I instructed him and Nick to stay strong as we are giving our all.

"Their was an exchange of love and I had to hand the phone to my partner, who remained composed."

Ms Gribble later spoke to consular staff in Tripoli who confirmed that her brother was "ok" and told her they would be presenting a full report to the Foreign Office on Monday.

She added: "That is today, and we sit patiently and wait.

"This last week has been torturously slow and seemingly ineffectual, with concerns ranging from the current climate in Libya and my overwhelming concern about the two boys.

"We have no official picture and are left bewildered. We are urged to believe and put faith in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), but as a person who believes that if you want a job doing you do it yourself ... it is a situation that tests you to your very limits and back again."Exercise denied

Later, Ms Gribble said the Foreign Office had told her that the two British detainees had received a parcel from the embassy and that they were "grateful and lighter in countenance".

Mel Gribble said the family felt the waiting had been long and torturous

She said they were not alowed exercise but took it in turns to walk around their windowless cell.

She added that they were continuously questioned by an adviser employed by brigade commander Faraj al-Swehli,

He has claimed the pair had entered Libya illegally and had entered Libya illegally.

The militia leader showed reporters in the country footage which purports to show the two men test-firing weapons.

Members of the brigade also produced a field dressing that they said they had been found in the journalists' possession.

It was of a type, they said, used by the Israeli military.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We also want to see this case resolved. We are providing the two men with consular assistance and embassy staff have visited them on several occasions.

"We have raised their case with the Libyan authorities."

Libya says detained UK reporters are ‘spies’

Commander of Swehli brigade Faraj al Swehli says footage was found of the two journalists firing weapons

Πηγή: Times of Malta
March 5 2012

British journalists Nicholas Davies and Gareth Montgomery-Johnson are suspected to be spies and have been handed over to the Libyan intelligence service.

Two UK journalists working for Iran's Press TV are suspected to be spies, commander of Swehli brigade Faraj al Swehli told journalists.

Al Swehli said official Libyan documents and equipment used by the Israeli military were found among the journalists' belongings. Al Swehli said the men will now be handed to the Libyan intelligence service who would "pursue the legal process against them".

According to Sky News, the pair was arrested on February 22 in Misurata. Al Swehli said the two men were being well treated and that British consular officials and representatives from New York-based Human Rights Watch had visited them.