Louise Nousratpour
Tuesday February 17, 2009
The Morning Star
THE three vehicles seized on their way to join a Gaza aid convoy were free to continue their journey on Tuesday after being released by anti-terrorism officers.
The two vans and an ambulance had been travelling to London to link up with the convoy when nine men were arrested in an intelligence-led investigation on the M65 motorway in Lancashire.
Six of the men were released without charge following Friday's operation while detectives have until tomorrow to question the remaining three men in custody.
A spokeswoman for Viva Palestina, the umbrella group organising the convoy, accused police of engaging in a "smear campaign."
She insisted: "The arrests were unjustifiable because the men have done nothing wrong.
"The police knew that the media could not ignore the convoy and the arrests was an attempt to divert attention from the good deed by trying to portray those involved as Galloway's terrorist group."
Palestine Solidarity Campaign general secretary Betty Hunter questioned police claims that the arrests were part of an ongoing "intelligence-led" investigation.
She said: "I would be very surprised if terrorists decided to use a very high profile aid convoy to Gaza.
"The initiative to take 100 vehicles to Palestine is to be applauded and I hope the police will not use this to further prevent Palestinians from receiving aid."
Police continued to search a number of homes in the Burnley area, where some of the arrested men are understood to be from.
Local Labour councillor Wajid Khan said that Muslims in the area were concerned that the operation was aimed at preventing aid reaching Gaza.
"If this was because the aid was going to Gaza, then it would have a very devastating consequence for community spirit," he added.
Organisers doubted that whether the six men released will be able to catch up with the convoy, which leaves Spain today for Morocco.
The convoy carrying medicine, clothing and shoeboxes of toys set off from London on Saturday and is expected to reach Gaza in early March.
Speaking from the convoy in the suburbs of Madrid, organiser Kevin Ovenden said: "We have received tremendous support along the way."
Asked if he was concerned about Israel's attempt to stop them entering Gaza, he said: "No-one is going to turn this convoy around. We will deliver the aid."
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