Albanian activist Baki Goxhaj flown to Turkey then home after Israel detains Sumud flotilla

Albanian activist Baki Goxhaj was among the approximately 430 humanitarian activists on the “Sumud” flotilla that Israel intercepted in international waters near Cyprus while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Israeli authorities detained the participants, and Turkish officials subsequently arranged special flights from Israel’s Ramon airport to transport the detained activists to Turkey.

From Turkey, the activists were prepared for onward travel to Albania. Goxhaj arrived at Tirana’s Rinas airport, spent a brief period in the airport police commission, was questioned by Albanian authorities, and was reunited with his family.

Goxhaj recounted the detention, saying he was bound, blindfolded and confined on a large container vessel for two days with only water and dry bread, describing the treatment as “like being treated as slaves.”