The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, has responded to the detention of three Portuguese nationals – Miguel Duarte, Sofia Aparício, and Mariana Mortágua. The humanitarian flotilla they were part of departed from Barcelona, Spain, approximately a month ago, bound for Gaza.
Speaking from Copenhagen, Denmark, where he is attending the European Political Community Summit, Luís Montenegro assured that he has been “in continuous contact” with the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, “who is managing” the situation.
“We are in contact with the Israeli authorities to safeguard the situation of these Portuguese citizens and provide all consular support, as it is our responsibility with them and all Portuguese nationals in similar situations, noting that one of these individuals also holds a position of sovereignty,” he stated, specifically referring to Mariana Mortágua, leader of the Bloco de Esquerda (BE).
Regarding the condition of the detainees and the circumstances in which they are awaiting deportation, the Prime Minister admitted that he “personally” has “no information in that domain,” nor on the expected return date of the Portuguese activists to the country.
Luís Montenegro expressed hope that everything will proceed “with great normality and that the return of the Portuguese nationals can occur without any incident.” “That is our expectation and it is the scenario conveyed to us by the Israeli authorities,” he revealed.
[News in update]
