Syrian family soon to join tripped father in Spain

By Mustafa Gungor

MERSIN, Turkey (AA) - The family of a Syrian refugee tripped by a TV camerawoman as he carried his young son across the Hungarian border last September is looking forward to be reunited soon after finally getting visa clearance.

Osama Abdul Mohsen had dominated headlines when Hungarian camerawoman Petra László tripped him while trying to flee police with his son in Hungary border with Serbia in September 2015. The incident caught on camera and seen by millions sparked a global outrage.

Laszlo, who was fired after the incident, was charged last week with “breach of peace” by Hungarian prosecutors.

Osama has been living in Spain for the past one and a half years with his sons, Mohammad Zaid and Usama (aged 7 and 18, respectively), while his wife, Muntaha, remained in Turkey’s southern province of Mersin along with another son, Muhannet, 19, and daughter, Dua, aged 14.

Mohsen’s attempts to bring his wife and remaining two kids to Spain finally bore fruit, and the trio were recently granted visas to leave Turkey.

Mother Muntaha told Anadolu Agency they were planning to travel to Spain after Eid.

"I have not seen my youngest son Zaid for 1,5 years. I miss both of them [remaining two sons] so much. Thank God, we will be reunited soon,” she said.

The oldest son Muhannet said he was delighted at the prospect of being reunited with his father and brothers.

“We are very happy to finally get visas. I cannot find the words to describe our happiness,” he said, adding he loved Turkey and Turkish people.

“We like it here just like our homeland. We have never felt like foreigners at all. And for that, I would like to thank the Turkish people. They treated us well, and made us feel like home. God bless them,” he added.

Osama, Zaid and Mohammad are living in Madrid, where Osama works as football coach. Before fleeing Syria, Osama worked as a football coach for El Fotuwa club in the family’s hometown Deir ez-Zor.

The family was forced to flee Syria 2,5 years ago as the civil war raged.

They took shelter in Turkey before Mohammad set off for Germany, followed months later by Osama and Zaid.