# Sally Faulkner Shocked When Charged with Kidnapping Over 60 Minutes Operation

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/news-opinion/general/sally-faulkner-shocked-when-charged-with-kidnapping-over-60-minutes-operation/
- Published: 2016-07-01T15:04:53+10:00
- Author: Clare Whitfield

## _Sally Faulkner, the mother of two kids in the botched snatching�operation in Lebanon, has been charged with kidnapping her own children._

Ms Faulkner, from Brisbane, faced kidnapping charges following her part in a child
snatch operation in Lebanon, that a 60 Minutes crew tried to film.

[⌊Sally faulkner shocked when charged with kidnapping over 60 minutes operation 
| stay at home mum⌉⌊Sally faulkner shocked when charged with kidnapping over 60 
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Ms Faulkner was reportedly shocked by news of the charges but has provided no further
comment. The kidnapping charge was unexpected�as Judge Rami Abdullah had stated 
before that�he didn’t think a mother could possibly�kidnap her own children.

Ms Faulkner may not�return to Lebanon, spending two weeks in prison there in April
after the failed operation to snatch her two children from her estranged husband,
�Ali Elamine.

[⌊Sally faulkner shocked when charged with kidnapping over 60 minutes operation 
| stay at home mum⌉⌊Sally faulkner shocked when charged with kidnapping over 60 
minutes operation | stay at home mum⌉[

The botched operation led to the detention of�four members of the 60 Minutes crew
along with Australian child recovery agent, Adam�Whittington.

It is believed that Ms Faulkner�and the TV crew were released after the Nine Network
paid around�$500,000, according to Fairfax, to Mr Elamine, which he�denied.

Part of Ms Faulkner’s deal for freedom included relinquishing custody of her children
to Mr Elamine, granted by Australia’s courts.

The crew from the Nine Network, however,�had their charges reduced to misdemeanour
of failing to inform authorities of a criminal act, but Fairfax reports that the
charge is likely to end with a fine for the network.

However, spokesperson for Nine said the network still expected the matter to come
to trial, despite the lesser charge being applied.

“There will still be a trial on a date to be determined and out of respect for the
Lebanese legal process we will not be making any further comment while the matter
is still before the court,” the spokesperson said.

[⌊Happy mother with two children smiling and having fun at home⌉⌊Happy mother with two children smiling and having fun at home⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/sally.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

Meanwhile, Mr�Whittington was also charged along with Ms Faulkner.�Mr Whittington’s
lawyer, Joe Karam, said the judge dropped a more serious criminal gangs charge, 
but Mr Whittington�was formally indicted along with accomplice, Craig Michael.

Both men and a Lebanese fixer who helped�in the operation were charged with kidnapping
while another Lebanese man was charged with assault for his part in the job.

Mr Karam also said the judge accepted that the Nine Network financed and directed
the operation a fact confirmed by the network’s own internal review.

Nine had earlier insisted Mr Whittington was paid for his role in the operation 
by mistake.

Mr Whittington is still in prison in Beirut.

Source:�[Au.news.yahoo.com](https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/31960174/sally-faulkner-charged-with-kidnapping-her-own-children-in-botched-60-minutes-lebanon-operation/#page1)

![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/
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 Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

 Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical
home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney,
she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school 
age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience
in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

 [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [  ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)