Hoodia Monsongo, a 25-year-old Israeli woman who was imprisoned in Peru following cocaine-type drugs found in a folder, was released yesterday (Tuesday) from house arrest in the country and will return to Israel soon.
Monsongo, who has special needs, was arrested at the airport in Peru in May 2019 and after a three-month legal process was imprisoned for 279 days in a severe women's prison in the country.
After the period in prison, she was released under house arrest in the capital city of Lima, which began in May 2020 and ended as stated these days.
In the files of Monsongo and another young Israeli woman were found about 28 kg of cocaine, her family claimed that Hoodia, who arrived in Peru on a flight from Spain, was used as stated due to her condition.
In recent months, her family has waged a stubborn struggle for her release and now, as mentioned, Monsongo will be released and will return to Israel soon and, according to estimates, she will celebrate the Tishrei holidays with her family members.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said after learning of Hoodia's release: "In my first week in office, I appointed a special team to deal with the issue, and I worked closely with him.
We will not celebrate before we see her land in the country, but we are already allowed to rejoice a little.
For me, protecting and caring for young people with special needs is part of my life's mission. '