Ex-US Marine released from Iran grateful for support

Former Marine Amir Hekmati arrived home in Flint, Mich. today, where he thanked everyone from the president to “everyday Americans” for their support over the years while he was being held in an Iranian prison.

Asked about the time in prison, Hekmati said, “it wasn’t good”, but that his Marine training helped sustain him.

“I was at a point where I had just sort of accepted the fact that I was going to be spending 10 years in prison, so this was a surprise and I just feel truly blessed to see my government do so much for me and the other Americans”, he said.

An appeals court later commuted the sentence to a 10-year jail term.

Before leaving from the airport, Hekmati stopped, shook hands and exchanged embraces with members of the Marine Corps League Flint Detachment, American Legion Post out of Linden and Mid-Michigan Therapy Dogs who lined the path out, many sporting American flags.

Salmon said the physical and emotional toll of his incarceration means that Hekmati has a long road of recovery ahead. I love this city and I love these people.

Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine, was one of four captives released in Iran on Saturday as part of a prisoner swap. I love its people.

“Happy to be home”, Hekmati, 32, told reporters as snow fell on the tarmac.

Hekmati, along with Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi, whose name had not been previously made public, were flown from Iran to Switzerland aboard a Swiss aircraft.

“Anytime somebody serves their country in the military, I feel a strong affinity for them”, Salmon said. A fifth American detained in Iran, Matthew Trevithick, was released in a move unrelated to the swap, US officials said. Hekmati was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges.

At first, Hekmati said, the prisoners were told that they would be leaving in two hours, but their departure on a private plane didn’t occur until nearly 2½ days later.

Rezaian, Hekmati and Abedini arrived Sunday at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, and underwent medical checkups at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

Hekmati’s family and Congressman Dan Kildee flew to Germany on January 18 where Hekmati was being treated at a medical center. “It’s his free determination” whether he wants to stay in Iran, one official said.