How Maral Najaryan Was Welcomed: Sister Shares Details and Phone Call from the Red Cross

After four months of captivity in Azerbaijan, Lebanese-Armenian Maral Najaryan was released yesterday. On Wednesday, at 8:30 AM local time, she departed from Baku to Istanbul, and from there to Beirut. It is reported that she returned home surrounded by family, friends, and community supporters.

“I was at the hospital in the morning when I received the call. I dropped my equipment upon hearing the news about Maral's release,” Najaryan's sister, Sosi, a nurse at a local hospital in Beirut, told asbarez.com. “I told them I was taking the day off and rushed home,” she added.

“I can't describe what we are feeling right now. We are eagerly waiting to welcome her at the airport,” Sosi Najaryan remarked, explaining that the International Committee of the Red Cross informed them to keep the news confidential until her safe return.

Photos by @megh.ezadjian