BEIRUT
A Turkish businessman, Aydin Tufan Tekin who was abducted by the Miqdad tribe in Lebanon in mid-August and released on Tuesday, has returned his home safe and sound.
Turkish businessman Tekin arrived in Turkey on Wednesday morning with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati's private jet.
The jet landed at Dalaman Airport in southwestern province of Mugla, and Tekin later on travelled to his home in Marmaris city of Mugla province.
Relatives, friends and neighbors of Tekin greeted him in front of his house.
Speaking to reporters, Tekin thanked everybody who supported him and his family during their difficult times.
"I wholeheartedly thank Turkish president, prime minister, foreign minister, Lebanese government, (Turkish durable goods manufacturer) Arcelik family and everybody who worked hard for me. Both governments worked very hard and a great number of people participated in it. We succeed, now I am here with my family," said Tekin.
Stating that while he was in the hand of the tribe for 27 days, Tekin said that all now was behind.
Released Turkish businessman tells AA about his tough times as hostage
Businessman Tekin shared his difficult times with Anadolu Agency (AA) while he was heading to Turkey aboard plane after he was released on Tuesday.
Stating that he was abducted after he got out of the airport in Beirut, "I took a cab. I was replying my emails when I heard the voice of siren. A car came in front of the cab, and its driver said something. Then I saw a man approaching the cab, with his face masked, holding a gun. I acted on impulse and put my hands up. I thought they were going to rob the driver. They forced me to get on another car, and I saw people holding kalashnikovs. After blindfolding me they took me to a house," said Tekin.
Tekin thanked AA team who interviewed him while he was hostage.
"They put their lives in danger for me. They were very upset and they supported me. I felt great when I contacted and ate with them. I wholeheartedly thank them," he said.
Tekin stated that the people who kidnapped him, told him several times that they were not going to kill him.
"I did not know during those 27 days whether they were going to release me or not. They told me again and again that they were not going to kill me. However, how could you believe it? I was thinking all the time whether I would be freed or not. There were several scenarios for my release. There might be a military operation but it is scary. Frankly, I was afraid when I heard children playing outside with firecrackers," said Tekin.
Noting that the members of the tribe held him in an ordinary house, "I was forbidden to get close to windows at home. There was no trouble in terms of food. They told me that I was innocent, but they did not have another choice rather than keeping me," Tekin said.
He said that he was spending his time while being held hostage watching television, reading books and newspapers.
Tekin stated that he was not delighted when they told him they were going to release him in two days time.
"I asked myself why two days? I did not believe I was already freed until I saw the Turkish ambassador because there were many talks like that earlier. After a couple of days, they said 'tomorrow, you are going to be a free man'. They told the same thing next morning or noon. Finally they told me that I was going to be free on Tuesday evening," Tekin said.
Tekin said that the members of the tribe brought a barber to cut his hair.
"They also brought my clothes, but I did not want to become so hopeful because it was a huge operation for both sides. I was aware of it. I said 'yes'. They told me that they had been working to send him on Tuesday evening. Finally, they put me in a car, blindfolded me and drove until the half way of journey like that. Later, they handed me over to the officials of Lebanese army," said Tekin.
Noting that he was able to talk to his family after tens of days on the phone, "My family was over the moon. My mother, father and sister were delighted. It was very important for me to hear, notice the voice that you know," said Tekin.
"Life is long, it is hard to say anything at the moment. I am not the only person who deals with business in Lebanon region at my company," said Tekin replying to a question whether he might travel to Lebanon again.
Tekin wholeheartedly thank Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Lebanese government, Turkey's ambassador in Beirut Inan Ozyildiz and everybody who supported him during his hard times.
PM Erdogan phoned and wished me to get well soon after being released, says Turkish businessman
A Turkish businessman Aydin Tufan Tekin, who was abducted in Lebanon in mid-August by Miqdad tribe and released on Tuesday night, said on Wednesday that "Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and several Turkish ministers phoned him and wished him to get well soon after being released."
Tekin is presently staying with his family in Marmaris town after being kept hostage for 27 days.
Many visitors came to Tekin's home on Wednesday morning and shared the happiness of his family.
Speaking to reporters waiting in front of his home in Marmaris, Tekin thanked all those who helped him get released.
"I was abducted only 5 minutes after arriving at the airport in Lebanon. I stayed in 7 or 8 homes of the Miqdad tribe. I could not see the places we went to as my face was covered. The Lebanese army was conducting a search operation. However, no operation was staged on where I was. I do not know how accurate it would be to say that the tribe released me. There were talks between the governments and I was released eventually and handed over to the Lebanese intelligence," Tekin said.
"I was chosen as the person to be abducted only because I was a Turk. I believe that a certain Turk in the plane was being followed but I do not think they had my name as the person to be abducted," Tekin underlined.
"I follow news on myself. I try not to watch Turkish TV channels in order not to be affected. I gave a statement in English to the camera as I feared that a wrong translation may put me in risk," Tekin noted.
"I faced the risk of being killed every second during those 27 days. I was not tortured in any way," Tekin also said.
