An Italian child kidnapped by her father and brought to war-torn Aleppo that had been saved by Turkish efforts has left for Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement released late Friday.
Houda Emma Kharat was taken to Aleppo by her father in 2011. With the Turkish ministry's initiatives, she was saved from the battlefield and given shelter in Turkey.
"Our authorities have closely followed the events in cooperation with Italian officials and extradited the suspect who was arrested in Turkey," the ministry added in the statement.
"The necessary steps to ensure that 7-year-old Emma to [reunite] with her mother were taken with humanitarian concerns in consideration," the statement concluded.
Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano also issued a statement, thanking Turkish authorities for their efforts.
"All of this happened thanks to Turkey's perfect cooperation. Turkish officials aware of the situation's humanitarian side have facilitated Houda Emma's transit pass from Syria through Turkey. Tonight, Houda Emma will be hugged by her mother again. I would like to express my endless gratitude to Turkish authorities and Italian state institutions for realising that meeting," he said.
