BBC ALBA’s flagship current affairs series Eòrpa has won the Current Affairs prize at the 2017 Scottish BAFTAs.

The awards ceremony took place on Sunday night (Sunday 5 November) in Glasgow, hosted by Edith Bowman.

2017 marked Eòrpa’s third consecutive nomination in this category, with their special half-hour programme on former detainees of Guantanamo Bay getting the nod this year.

The Eòrpa team travelled across Europe to interview these terror suspects who are now residing in European countries to which they have no connection or affiliation. Exiled from their homes and families, without ever facing official charges, these men have been released to a life anew whilst still dealing with their own personal traumas from their detention in Guantanamo Bay.

Eòrpa is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and has just begin its new series broadcasting weekly on BBC ALBA, BBC2 Scotland and BBC Parliament.

Covering stories across Europe and the UK, Eòrpa has earned plaudits for its platform of European issues and human interest stories. This year’s nominated team consists of producer Rebecca MacLennan, reporter Angela MacLean, director Maureen MacLeod, camera operator Stephen Hughes and researchers Murdo MacSween and Neil MacIsaac.

Eòrpa reporter, Angela MacLean, said: “We are delighted to have won the award and proud of the team. We would like to thank the contributors who gave us their time and told us their stories. Were it not for them, there would be no Eòrpa.”

Producer, Rebecca MacLennan, said: “As Eòrpa celebrates its 25th anniversary, our BAFTA win for our Guantanamo Detainees report was the icing on the cake! It was very unexpected as, alongside Eòrpa, STV and Maramedia/BBC Scotland were equally strong contenders in this category. The Eòrpa team work hard to find stories/reports that often don’t get the same kind of profile that many others do, but are still worthy.”

MG ALBA’s Chief Executive, Donald Campbell, is delighted that Eòrpa has again received recognition for its current affairs reporting.

Mr Campbell said: “Eòrpa is currently entering its 25th series and is still winning awards. The reports the team bring to our screens are hugely important and more relevant than ever before. BBC ALBA is thrilled to have such a strong and acclaimed brand representing it both home and abroad.”