Freed US Marine says he feels lucky after Iran prisoner swap release

Former US Marine Amir Hekmati says he feels humbled and lucky to be free again, after being one of four Americans released by Iran as part of a prisoner swap.

Hekmati tells reporters Tuesday outside the US military’s Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany that news of his impending release came as a surprise.

The 32-year-old says he and his fellow prisoners weren’t able to relax until the Swiss government plane they were flown out in had left Iranian airspace, after which “champagne corks were popped.”

US Rep. Dan Kildee, a Democrat from Hekmati’s home state of Michigan, said he spent several hours with the 32-year-old and that he seems in good health.

“He has not had much of a chance to exercise and he’s lost some weight but he looks fit and I think he is on the mend,” Kildee told The Associated Press. “A better diet and a chance to exercise… and I think he’ll turn out to be just fine.”

Hekmati, Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and pastor Saeed Abedini arrived late Sunday at Landstuhl for treatment. A fourth American released in exchange for the U.S. pardoning or dropping charges against seven Iranians opted to stay in Iran, and a fifth American was released separately.

Hekmati was detained in August 2011 on espionage charges. Hekmati says he went to Iran to visit family and spend time with his ailing grandmother. After his arrest, family members say they were told to keep the matter quiet.

He was convicted of spying and sentenced to death in 2012. After a higher court ordered a retrial, he was sentenced in 2014 to 10 years on a lesser charge.