After making the heartbreaking decision to give up custody of her children in exchange for her freedom, Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner left Lebanon, taking a small amount of solace in the thought of the next phone call with her little ones.
But, nearly two weeks on, they still haven’t spoken.
Despite assurances of regular contact, Faulkner’s estranged husband Ali el-Amine has reportedly severed all communication between her and their children, Lahela, aged five, and Noah, three.
via Facebook.
Faulkner told The Australian she has not heard from them since leaving Lebanon on April 21.
"I haven’t spoken to the kids since I said goodbye to them in Beirut," she said.
"There has been no contact, even though he promised in the court that he would allow me to talk and Skype with the kids and that I would be able to come see them.
"I just feel so lost not being able to talk to them."
via Facebook.
Faulkner agreed to relinquish custody of the children as part of a negotiation that saw her, 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown and three members of the 60 Minutes Australia crew released from a Lebanese prison where they were being held on kidnap charges.
The group and two child recovery experts were he'd after an attempt to snatch Lahela and Noah from a Beirut street and return them to Australia.
After two weeks behind bars, Channel 9 reportedly paid a $US500,000 dollar sum to help secure their release on bail.
According to The Australian, the investigating judge will be sitting later this week to hear further evidence in the case.
Meanwhile, Adam Whittington, one of the child recovery operatives who remains behind bars, is reportedly hoping to be bailed on Wednesday.
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Top Comments
Regardless of the he said, she said, and what we all know...this is appalling and an indication of the morals of the man. He's happy to completely block his children from having any contact with their mother, who he admitted want to see her.
His reason for not returning them? Their mother had a boyfriend. Does that mean he will be living a life of celibacy now he has them in his care? Lets wait and see....
He needs to understand they will grow up very quickly and not be able to be hoodwinked by him and make their own decisions. And then will see him for the controlling evil man he is.
She sent armed men to take them, she is worse. It was only circumstance not intent people didn't get shot. Not that she would have cared as long as she got her way.
If one of the kids or more was killed in a shoot out in the abduction, would she still be guilt free, "regardless", and him still the bad guy?
He knew that was going to happen and sat back and let it happen.
Look they're as bad as each other but she never stopped them seeing their dad or speaking to him. He isnt behaving like a father who cares about the wellbeing of his children. He's behaving like a father who is motivated by punishing his ex wife.
Actually the mother retracted her statement about 'the armed men', she said she was 'confused' and in fact the recovery team were not armed. Strangely she appeared on TV before the day was out - speaking very coherently for someone with bleeding on the brain?!? The cctv showed the children being bundled into a car, no one was bashed so to speak. I certainly admire Sally's courage for attempting to free her children from their narcissistic father. Parental abduction is child abuse and with any luck someone will help her get them out of Lebanon as soon as bloody possible. Any good loving mother would do the same 🙏🏼 💪🏼
He is behaving like a real prick indeed.
Very light on detail.
Has she tried skyping/calling or is she waiting for him to call? HAs she been given a reason? Has she spoken to the father but not the kids?