Australian lawyer Sarah Armstrong is on her way home after being held in Mongolia. Source: Supplied
AUSTRALIAN lawyer Sarah Armstrong has touched down in Sydney after being barred from leaving Mongolia for two months.
The 32-year-old was stopped at Ulan Bator airport in mid-October because authorities wanted to question her over corruption allegations centred on the former chief of Mongolia's mining authority.
Ms Armstrong is a lawyer for Rio Tinto mining subsidiary SouthGobi Resources.
Last night, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed Ms Armstrong had boarded a flight out of Mongolia.
She landed at Sydney Airport this afternoon and was due to get a connecting flight to Tasmania to be reunited with her parents.
Her mother, Yvonne, told AAP she had been bracing for a Christmas spent thinking of her daughter stuck in Mongolia.
"All I wanted to hear was that she was on a plane," she said last night from her Tasmanian home.
She got the good news via text message from a friend in Mongolia.
Mrs Armstrong said her daughter had told her on Friday that she thought she would be allowed to leave within days, but she had been trying not to get her hopes up.
Also on Friday, it is understood, Foreign Minister Bob Carr again contacted the Mongolian ambassador to Australia about Ms Armstrong's case.
Senator Carr also flagged the Australian Government's concerns when he met the Mongolian foreign minister in November.
Ms Armstrong is a lawyer for Rio Tinto mining subsidiary SouthGobi Resources.
The company on Monday said Mongolia's Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) had ended its questioning of the lawyer.
SouthGobi has been informed by the IAAC that the 32-year-old "is no longer a suspect in their investigations", the coal firm said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange where it is listed.
Mongolian officials said Armstrong was wanted over an investigation into the former chief of Mongolia's mining authority, who is suspected of illegally handling mining licences, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
Senator Carr said it was "great news" - and good timing.
"I understand her family have been advised of her departure from Mongolia and look forward to seeing her for Christmas," he said in a statement on Monday.
"I thank the Mongolian government and particularly Foreign Minister (Luvsanvandan) Bold for their willingness to resolve this matter.
"I also applaud our consular staff ... including consuls general David Lawson and Tony Burchill, who worked tirelessly in making representations on Ms Armstrong's behalf."
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