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foreign affairs
The Canadian Press

This article was published more than 6 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

Salim Alaradi is greeted by family as he arrives at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Monday, June 20, 2016.Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press

A Canadian man who was detained for nearly two years in the United Arab Emirates has returned to Canada.

Salim Alaradi arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport just before 6 p.m. on Monday, telling family, friends and media upon arrival that he was overwhelmed to be home after the last two years.

The 46-year-old Canadian of Libyan origin said he will need time to recover and get medical treatment before settling in Windsor, Ont., with his family and "enjoying a Canadian summer."

Alaradi immigrated to Canada from the UAE in 1998, living in Vancouver with his family. He decided to return to the U.A.E. in 2007 to run a home appliance business with his brother.

He and his family were on vacation within the UAE when he was arrested in August 2014. After being held for months without being charged, Alaradi was put on trial early this year on terrorism charges, and pleaded not guilty.

Those charges were dropped in March and replaced with two lesser offences. Alaradi was found not guilty on May 30, clearing the way for his return to Canada.

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