Detained reporter Tara Brown has spoken about the moment she was pictured being shoved into a car by Lebanese security guards in an exclusive interview with News Corp Australia, saying the moment "looked much worse than it was".
"They were trying to protect me from the cameras, it might have been easier for me to turn my head," she said of the dramatic pictures from outside the courthouse that appeared to show her being manhandled.
Ms Faulkner added that the pair started laughing after their plan to avoid getting pictures taken failed so spectacularly.
"We were laughing in the car, all we wanted to do was not get her photo taken," she said.
The comments from inside the women's prison where the pair are being held as they prepare to face Judge Rami Abdullah tomorrow alongside fellow 60 Minutes crew members Benjamin Williamson, David Ballment and Stephen Rice and Britons Adam Whittington and Craig Michael.
While the pair remained careful not to jeopardise the case, Ms Brown also laughed off suggestions she had her hair blow-dried before appearing in public.
"I don't even have my hairbrush in here," she said. "Did they seriously think we have some sort of beauty salon here?" she said.
A spokeswoman for Nine said the crew were being treated well in detention by compassionate officials. She also rejected claims by rival child recovery agent Col Chapman that some relatives of the reporting team wanted to travel to Lebanon despite being told not to.
"They have had written communication with those in detention on how they are coping and feeling which has been valuable for the wellbeing of those here in Australia," the spokeswoman said
It comes amid Fairfax reports Sally Faulkner's estranged husband Ali Elamine knew about the botched attempt within minutes due to local connections in the area.
It's believed a message from Ms Faulkner confirming the children were safe is what ultimately led to the Australian and British group being tracked by police.
On Tuesday Mr Elamine said he was not prepared to drop the charges against his wife if it meant everyone else involved was to walk away, saying it was up to prosecutors to decide if Ms Faulkner and the reporting team had "done something illegal".
"The way they are trying to push for this is that if Sally (Faulkner) goes out on bail, they all get out," the 32-year-old said as he prepared to meet Judge Abdullah.
"That is how I am seeing it as an outsider ... They are pushing for Sal's release and everyone else gets a green card."
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