Canadians from flotilla freed after getting suspended sentences
Tey were found guilty of obstructing authorities Two Canadians who were arrested Monday by Greek coast guard officials after their flotilla was stopped in Crete were handed suspended sentences and released on probation Wednesday.Soha Kneen, an Ottawa woman in her 30s; and Sandra Ruch, 50, of Toronto, appeared in court after they were arrested and detained overnight Monday in Crete's port authority office, according to a statement released by the group.Kneen, arrested along with Australian Michael Coleman, was found guilty of obstructing authorities, who were trying to chase the Canadian vessel. The two were in canoes cheering at the Tahrir as it sailed away before it was stopped by armed coast guards for trying to break a ban on Gaza-bound ships leaving Greek ports.Ruch, whose signature is on most pieces of documentation for the project, faced criminal charges for allowing the ship to leave without proper authorization.The trio received suspended sentences on Wednesday and are on probation for three years. They can remain in the country as long as they don't reoffend during the probation period.The remaining 40 activists, including 30 Canadians, on board were promised they wouldn't be arrested if they left the flotilla.On Tuesday, Montreal-based spokesman Ehab Lotayef ...
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