Swiss citizens who took part in the pro-Palestinian “Sumud Flotilla”, who were detained while trying to break into the Gaza Strip and deported from Israel, received an invoice from the Swiss authorities – they are required to reimburse the costs of their own deportation. This was reported by the Turkish Anadolu news agency, which was contacted by activists.
Swiss national Samuel Crettenan said he found a letter in his mailbox demanding reimbursement of expenses incurred by the state: in particular, he was ordered to pay for contacts between the Swiss Foreign Ministry and the Israeli authorities, visits by consular officers in prison and assistance in the return of activists home.
Crettenan said he was not going to pay anything because “the Swiss government has fulfilled its responsibilities towards the detained citizens to the bare minimum.” He also argues that, in accordance with the Vienna Convention, these services should be provided free of charge.
According to a member of the Sumuda Flotilla, he was presented with a bill for more than 800 Swiss francs, including the cost of purchasing clothes.