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Libyan authorities allow arrested journalist to fly home to UK Libyan authorities allow arrested journalist to fly home to UK
(about 1 month later)
A journalist detained in Libya was allowed to fly home to the UK on Tuesday night after five days of negotiations for her release between embassy staff and the authorities.A journalist detained in Libya was allowed to fly home to the UK on Tuesday night after five days of negotiations for her release between embassy staff and the authorities.
Sharon Ward, a freelance TV reporter who has worked in Libya for organisations including the BBC and Human Rights Watch, was arrested last Thursday after filming refugees from the former pro-Gaddafi town of Tawarga housed in Tripoli's naval academy.Sharon Ward, a freelance TV reporter who has worked in Libya for organisations including the BBC and Human Rights Watch, was arrested last Thursday after filming refugees from the former pro-Gaddafi town of Tawarga housed in Tripoli's naval academy.
She said she was accused of failing to get permission to work on a military site, and spent more than 50 hours in detention.She said she was accused of failing to get permission to work on a military site, and spent more than 50 hours in detention.
"I was filming the last shot and some security guy said, 'What are you doing?'" Ward told the Guardian. "They are saying you have to respect the laws of Libya.""I was filming the last shot and some security guy said, 'What are you doing?'" Ward told the Guardian. "They are saying you have to respect the laws of Libya."
The saga threatened to descend into farce on Monday when authorities demanded she hand over her tapes, only to find she had hidden them in a wastepaper basket that had been emptied by hotel cleaners.The saga threatened to descend into farce on Monday when authorities demanded she hand over her tapes, only to find she had hidden them in a wastepaper basket that had been emptied by hotel cleaners.
Ward, who has both British and New Zealand nationalities, said following the intervention of senior embassy staff Libyan authorities dropped the demand. A local man and a translator arrested with her were also both freed.Ward, who has both British and New Zealand nationalities, said following the intervention of senior embassy staff Libyan authorities dropped the demand. A local man and a translator arrested with her were also both freed.
An embassy spokeswoman said: "Sharon Ward voluntarily left Libya and the British embassy would like to thank the Libyan authorities for assisting in resolving Sharon's case."An embassy spokeswoman said: "Sharon Ward voluntarily left Libya and the British embassy would like to thank the Libyan authorities for assisting in resolving Sharon's case."
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