The plane with ex-hostages Sophie Pétronin has just landed at Villacoublay airport near Paris. The flight had started a few hours earlier from Bamako, Mali. Franco-Suisse spent almost four years in captivity in the Sahel. She was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
With our special envoys to Villacoublay, Marine from Moissonière and Valerie Gas
It was a little after noon. 12.45 Paris time (10:45 am TU) when the plane landed on the asphalt of Villacoublay military airport, a block behind the officially announced schedule. A flight that had departed almost six hours earlier from Bamako, the Malian capital.
On board the plane with Sophie Pétronin was her son, Sébastien Chadaud, who arrived in Mali earlier this week. There were also two doctors responsible for monitoring the health of the 75-year-old Frenchman.
► To read also: Sophie Pétronin: “I was in acceptance of what happened to me”
She was the first to get off the plane, white scarf on her head, a beige coat, black pants, white sneakers and of course a mask. She was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived a little earlier, and Jean-Yves Le Drian, Foreign Minister. They exchanged a few words at the bottom of the catwalk.
Sophie Pétronin then embraced her ten-year-old granddaughter. There were also two other men, members of his family, on the tarmac. And the rest of the family approached. Sophie Pétronin embraced those close to her that she had not seen in years. A group hug as a kind of round that lasted very long minutes. It was a very strong, very moving moment.
President Macron and Jean-Yves Le Drian stood aside on the tarmac. Then everyone went to a reception for the purpose of reuniting with the other relatives of Sophie Pétronin.
Sophie Pétronin appeared quite in good shape. His health condition has been a real concern in recent years. In a video posted by her captives, she also appears to be ill, very weak. She seemed confused. It must be remembered that Sophie Pétronin is 75 years old and that she has just spent almost four years in detention. Although she says she was treated well, she was still detained in the Sahelian desert zone. Today, however, it is a different image she returned. She said it herself last night, she’s fine except for dental problems. She spent the night at the Pasteur Clinic in Bamako to make status.
A time that was announced, the president did not finally speak. A microphone was installed, but Emmanuel Macron expressed his satisfaction after this release on Twitter. After the Élysée, after speaking with Sophie Pétronin in the pavilion of honor, Emmanuel Macron had the impression that he had done what he was supposed to do and that there was nothing more to add.
When the hostages return, there is always an element of uncertainty. It may also be due to emotions, the will of the family, Sophie Pétronin’s willingness to set a tone for her return to French soil.
The plane, which was carrying the 75-year-old Franco-Swiss humanitarian from Bamako, landed at noon at Villacoublay military base in the Paris suburbs.
Special edition arrival of Sophie Pétronin to France at. 13.30 to 14.00
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