Libyan authorities released on Friday four Hamas operatives arrested in 2016 for smuggling weapons to the Gaza Strip. The four – Marwan Al-Ashqar, his son Baraa, Moeed Abd and Naseeb Chubair – were arrested in Tripoli in October 2016.
In February 2019, they were sentenced to extended prison terms ranging from 17 to 22 years for arms trafficking and espionage.
Libyan media reported that their release was made at the request of the local prosecution, following "Turkish mediation."
According to reports, upon their release from prison in Tripoli, the four flew to Turkey and then to Qatar, where the terrorist organization's political leadership is based. (Lior Ben-Ari)