After two weeks in custody in Lebanon, Tara Brown along with the 60 Minutes crew and the Brisbane mum are finally free to return to Australia.
The reporter along with her crew, Ben Williamson, David Ballment and Stephen Rice walked free around 4pm local time, with “smiles as wide as the Harbour Bridge” according to Nine News reporter Tom Steinfort.
Tara was in great spirits as she revealed the first thing she did after being freed was call her husband, John McAvoy.
“Had a chance to call John – I was ordered to call home straight away,” the veteran reporter told 9NEWS with a laugh.
“But not the kids yet, I can’t wait to speak to them obviously, although they have no idea about any of this.”
“It’s great to talk to home and it’s great to be going home.”
The sentiment resonated with Sally, who said she was “just so glad to be out of there”.
Adding, “I mean they treated us well, I can’t complain about that, it’s just the uncertainty that sort of kept me awake at night, not knowing if it was going to be a life-long sentence.”
The detained Aussies left the prison for Beirut Airport last night at about 11pm AEST.
Tara, along with 60 Minutes cameraman Ben Williamson, sound recordist David Ballment and producer Stephen Rice, were facing charges of kidnapping, physical assault, hiding information and criminal conspiracy.
“I release all the Australian crew on bail because Ali Elamein has dropped the charges,” the Judge said.
Adding, “That is the personal charges that have been dropped. But criminal charges remain. They will have to return for them.”
As for Sally’s estranged partner Ali Elamine, who dropped the charges, he has no resentment towards the Channel Nine team, telling the media they were “just doing their job”.
It’s been reported Channel 9 paid an unspecified amount of reconciliation money to the Lebanese father. It’s understood the custody hearing will continue for children Lahela, five, and three-year-old Noah.
“I am glad it’s over,” he said outside Baabda Central Women’s Prison.
“She is their mother and I don’t want them growing up and thinking ‘Daddy had the option of letting Mummy off easily and he didn’t.”
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