After spending nearly 10 months in a Peruvian prison, Hodaya Monsonego was released on Sunday to house arrest at the home of a Jewish family in Lima.
Monsonego, 25, was arrested last year after she and a friend were caught with some 28 kilograms (61 pounds) of cocaine in their luggage. Throughout her time in prison, Monsonego – who has special needs – insisted that she was innocent.
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Since her arrest, Monsonego's family have been fighting on her behalf. The family has organized demonstrations and set up social media groups to advocate for her release. They insisted that Monsonego had failed to understand what was happening to her and had been exploited by criminals.
Speaking to her family, Monsonego told them that she was "euphoric" after being let out of prison. "I couldn't believe it when they told me I was getting out," she said.
"I never understood why I was in prison at all," she added.
Monsonego has not received a pardon and for now will have to remain in Peru.
President Reuven Rivlin thanked the Peruvian authorities for their help and expressed hope that Monsonego would soon be able to return to Israel.
