Italian activists detained in Libya transferred to Benghazi

Two Italian activists, teacher Domenico Centrone from Molfetta (Bari) and a fellow activist from Asti, were detained by forces loyal to General Haftar after crossing from western to eastern Libya. They were part of the Land Convoy humanitarian mission organized by Global Sumud Flotilla and Maghreb Sumud, which involved about 250 participants from multiple countries and a convoy of 20 vehicles, including an ambulance.

After crossing the border, the activists were stopped, their passports taken and they were treated as possible illegal migrants. They were subsequently moved to Benghazi. The Italian foreign ministry (Farnesina) and the consulate have opened investigations, while contact with the group was lost following an Instagram livestream by another activist, Sara Suriano, who remained with the main convoy in Sirte.

The convoy had been halted for eight days in Sirte’s "no‑weapon zone" before attempting to advance eastward. Negotiations with the eastern Libyan authorities for border passage had failed, prompting the activists’ detainment.