The family of an Australian woman jailed in Kuwait for insulting the emir have been celebrating after the country's surprise decision to suspend her sentence, AFP reported.
Nasrah Al Shamery, 43, was given a two-year jail sentence in April for comments made during a heated argument with airport officials.
"They said 'Mum's free' and in a couple of days she will be here," Al Shamery's son Ahmad told ABC radio.
Al Shamery reportedly suffers from diabetes and heart, breathing and back problems and is now unable to walk.
"I understand she is in a wheelchair right now and she is suffering ... a few pains but you know that doesn't matter as long as we got her back," her son said. "We will have to look after her."
Al Shamery, who always maintained her innocence, lodged an appeal in court last week, but the reason for her sudden deportation was not immediately clear.
Officials said the Australian ambassador to Kuwait had lobbied strongly on her behalf, holding three meetings with senior officials.
"Mrs Al Shamery will remain in prison until she is deported," said a spokeswoman for Australia's foreign department.
"The Australian Embassy in Kuwait is continuing to provide extensive consular assistance to Mrs Al Shamery."
The family received Australian citizenship a few years ago, having previously lived in Kuwait among some 100,000 stateless Arabs.