JAKARTA - Malaysia and Indonesia moved to bring home their citizens after the release of Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 activists detained by Israeli forces.
Malaysian organisers said all 428 activists, including 29 Malaysians, had been released and the Malaysian group was due to return home on May 24. Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that nine Indonesians had arrived in Istanbul after their release and would undergo checks before returning.
Sumud Nusantara Command Centre director-general Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said the 428 activists were being moved by bus to Ramon Airport in Israeli territory. He said they were expected to travel to Istanbul on three Turkish government-sponsored Turkish Airlines flights, TK6919, TK6921 and TK6925.
“The flight is expected to arrive at 10 pm Malaysian time and will be received by the Malaysian Embassy in Türkiye, Wisma Putra, as well as the Turkish government,” Sani Araby said at a May 21 press conference on the latest developments of the mission, as quoted by Malaysia’s state-owned agency Bernama.
The Malaysian delegation was expected to undergo a thorough medical examination in Türkiye following reports that some activists had been beaten and injured. Sani Araby said the Malaysian activists were expected to fly home on May 23 and arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on May 24.
Indonesia, on the other hand, said its nine flotilla participants had also arrived in Türkiye after being released. The country’s ambassador to Türkiye Achmad Rizal Purnama said they would give official statements and undergo forensic medical evaluations and health screenings before returning home.
Antara, Indonesia’s state-owned agency, reported that the group was taken to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute after arriving at Istanbul airport, citing Anadolu’s account of checks linked to an Istanbul prosecutor’s investigation.
SNCC said on May 20 that all 50 vessels in the GSF 2.0 mission, carrying 428 humanitarian activists from 40 countries, had been intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters about 80 nautical miles off Gaza.
Malaysian organisers credited diplomatic pressure involving Malaysia and Türkiye for the release of the 29 Malaysians. Indonesia said its consular officials in Istanbul met the nine Indonesian participants after their arrival and would assist them until they return home.
