Terror-loving lawyer Lynne Stewart arrived in New York on Wednesday afternoon, soaking in the newfound freedom she’s gained from a compassionate prison release.
Stewart had been locked up since 2009 for helping her client, jailed blind Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, exchange messages with follow terrorists in Egypt.
The 74-year-old Stewart has been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, prompting prosecutors and prison officials to successfully lobby for her release from a Texas pen.
“[Freedom], ain’t nothing like it!” Stewart said at LaGuardia. “We are gonna have a party!”
Stewart was greeted by about 100 friends, family and supporters. When she emerged from the airport’s secured area, they shouted “Lynne Stewart is free, Lynne Stewart is free!” and “We love Lynne, we love Lynne!”
“I’m full of joy and gratitude and happiness to be home with my two oldest grandkids,” said Stewart, embracing two kids grand kids on either side of her. “I’m so happy.”
Stewart said she kept up with the New York mayoral election from behind bars and has high hopes for Mayor de Blasio’s new administration.
“I kept up with the politics reading my New York Magazine. I hope a lot of change will come. I’m skeptical yet hopeful,” she said, crossing two pairs of fingers on her right hand.
Asked about her health, Stewart said: “I’m good but I’m not great.”
She was freed from the Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth. Manhattan federal Judge John Koeltl signed the release order after US Attorney Preet Bharara filed a letter Tuesday saying Stewart qualified for release because she’s got less than 18 months to live.
Stewart was convicted of helping blind Egyptian sheik Omar Abdel Rahman communicate with followers while he was serving a life sentence in a plot to blow up five New York landmarks and assassinate then-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. She has been in jail since 2009 and wasn’t scheduled for release until August 2018.