Post reporter released by Iran flown back to US

FLINT, Mich. (AP) – A former U.S. Marine recently released from Iran in a prisoner-swap deal returned to his home state of MI on Thursday, saying shortly after his airplane landed that he had endured “a very long road”. Hekmati 32, touched down in a private jet at the airport in his hometown of Flint, Michigan and stepped on to a small red carpet on the tarmac.

The caption said it showed the two men before taking off for the United States from Saarbruecken, Germany, on Friday. Abedini was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2013 after being accused of harming Iran’s national security by setting up home-based churches in Iran.

“What amazed me about my time with him last night is his spirit – if the Republican Guard thought they’d break the spirit of this guy, they failed miserably”, said Huffman.

Through the past four years, the “Free Amir” website and Facebook page also brought Hekmati’s situation to the world and kept pressure on leaders to act.

Amir Hekmati’s father, Ali, was a professor at Mott Community College until he suffered a stroke and had other health problems.

Bezos tweeted over the weekend, “Believe me, if you’re ever tossed in a foreign prison, you want” Post publisher “Fred Ryan and Marty Baron on the team working to get you out”. Happy to finally be home. It’s been a very long road.

“I am thrilled to be going to the United States and thankful beyond words for the overwhelming support Jason and our family have received from so many people”, she said. I love this city, I love its people, they’ve been so good to me, my family, and we’re very grateful. “I wanted to take a moment to thank you for everything you have done to keep my name a part of the conversation and for the kindness and support that you have given my family during the darkest period of our lives”, he said.

Kildee said the release had symbolic importance, adding: “We will never leave an American behind”. I’m standing here healthy, tall and with my head held high.

After leaving the airport, Hekmati got out of his vehicle to thank fellow marines and veterans who greeted him with hugs and handshakes. They told reporters they were honored to have met Hekmati.