:`Spy' Britons freed in Eritrea
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A British couple arrested and held for 17 days on suspicion of spying in Eritrea were released yesterday after finally convincing the authorities of their innocence.
Peter Billing, 64, and his wife Shirley, 61, of Wokingham, Berkshire, left Britain in 1983 for a round-the-world yacht voyage. They were arrested at gunpoint on board their 35ft ketch Clypaeus on 19 March and taken to a military camp where they were held in a hut and feared that they might be executed. They were then flown to the capital, Asmara, where they were detained in a hotel, but yesterday the Eritrean government told them they were free to leave.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments