Freed American Hostage: We Waited All Night at the Airport
Saeed Abedini, one of the four American hostages freed from Iran on Tuesday, describes the night he was liberated.
Pastor Saeed Abedini, one of four American hostages released from Iran on Tuesday, joined the FOX Business Network’s Trish Regan to describe the night he was set free.
“First of all, I’m so thankful for my freedom,” he said. “There is nothing like a life of being free.”
Abedini said he and the others waited a full night in the airport. According to police, they were waiting for another plane to arrive.
“They told us ‘you’re going to be there for 20 minutes, but it took like hours and hours,’” Abedini said. “We slept at the airport.”
Abedini said the plane and pilot were there, and everyone was ready to go, but they didn’t leave until 10 a.m. the next day. They eventually flew to the U.S. in the plane that had been sitting at the airport overnight.
When asked whether he believes the U.S. paid the Iranian government a ransom for his release, Abedini said he has his suspicions, but “they didn’t’ talk about money.”
“We call them terrorists and I don’t believe they are going to use this money for building orphanages, which I was arrested for, but I prefer that the politicians answer this question.”
Abedini said he is more concerned about worsening human rights conditions in Iran.
“I’m very grateful about my release and freedom, but there are some people still left behind and Christians who are still in prison,” he said. “Two days ago some of my friends… have been executed because of their faith. Every Wednesday they execute 100 people.”