British journalist says he was forced into exile over anti-"Israel" reporting
In a video shared on his Instagram account, Sweeney said:
"My name's Steve Sweeney. I've been a war correspondent for more than 10 years, reporting from global hotspots across the world. I've had my run-ins with authorities, I've been detained, I've been jailed, I've been tortured."
He described how on July 11, after arriving on a flight from Beirut to London's Heathrow Airport, he was met by Counter Terrorism officers.
"They took me away to a room, they interrogated me, they seized my electronic devices, they took DNA swabs, fingerprints and photographs. In effect, they treated me as a common criminal," Sweeney said.
He added that authorities implied his journalism was a threat to national security and confirmed he is currently under investigation under anti-terrorism legislation.
"I managed to leave the country via Ethiopia, but I've now been forced into exile. Should I return back to Britain to see my family, my friends, my loved ones, I face a lengthy prison sentence. My only crime really is reporting the truth."
Sweeney said his reporting focuses on documenting violations committed by "Israel" against people in southern Lebanon and Beirut.
"Journalists across Europe are being persecuted. Activists that support Palestine are being persecuted and being jailed," he added.
He said his entire journalistic career has been dedicated to "giving a voice to the voiceless" and holding the powerful accountable for their actions.
"In silencing me, they are not just silencing me, they are silencing the very victims of the wars being waged by the Western imperialist powers."
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