FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A former U.S. Marine recently released from an Iranian prison in a prisoner-swap deal has landed in his home state of Michigan.
The plane carrying Amir Hekmati arrived Thursday afternoon at Flint’s Bishop International Airport. He’s emerged to waiting reporters and well-wishers, including members of the American Legion.
The 32-year-old Hekmati was at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany since his weekend release. He recounted Tuesday how disbelief turned to joy when he and three fellow Americans realized they were being freed.
Asked about his 4 1/2 years in Iranian prison, Hekmati said “it wasn’t good,” but that his Marine training helped sustain him.
Convicted by an Iranian court of spying and sentenced to death in 2012, Hekmati was later retried and given a 10-year sentence on a lesser charge.
