Former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati says he feels humbled and lucky to be free again, after being one of four Americans released by Iran as part of a prisoner swap. “I’m standing here healthy, tall, and with my head held high”.
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He spent more than four years in an Iranian prison, but Thursday, Amir Hekmati came home to Mid-Michigan. The country’s Revolutionary Court then overturned his conviction for espionage, instead charging him with “cooperating with hostile governments” and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
While the global community tries to figure out how to handle Tehran and determine what steps to take after a historic nuclear deal, two prisoners who were held hostage in Iran are back home.
Landing at Bishop International Airport, Amir Hekmati stepped down from a small plane and waved before speaking briefly with reporters. He expressed gratitude to President Barack Obama, U.S. Congress and his other supporters, reserving special thanks for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Congressman Dan Kildee, a Democrat, told Reuters in an interview after Hekmati’s release he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif at the United Nations in late September as part of his efforts on behalf of Hekmati.
“With 4 1/2 years of his life gone, it is time for Amir Hekmati to start over”.
He was recently freed, along with three other Americans in a prisoner swap with Iran, in exchange for charges and convictions dropped against seven Iranians over trade sanction violations. But they weren’t able to relax until the jet had left Iranian airspace, after which “champagne bottles were popped” and veal and chocolates were served, he said. A fifth US citizen, Matthew Trevithick, was released separately, officials said. He said there were “tears, and smiles and hugs” when the family was reunited. “It’s great to be back in Flint, my hometown”.
Hekmati, 32, was arrested while visiting his grandmother in Iran in 2011.
“Like all of us, he is incredibly happy they are safe and sound”, Post spokeswoman Kristine Coratti Kelly was quoted by the newspaper as saying of Bezos.
AP Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine from Flint, Michigan was released by Tehran with Jason Rezaian and Saeed Adedini and flown to Geneva on Sunday before leaving for Landstuhl military base.
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“I got to tell you: If I ever had a business deal to negotiate, I certainly wouldn’t want John Kerry as my negotiator”, Salmon said.
