
Sydney siege survivor asks for ‘six figure’ sum for interview
Marcia Mikhael wants a “six-figure sum” to share her “wonderful story,” her lawyer says
A Sydney siege survivor has offered to share her first-hand hostage experience with a television audience but in return for nothing less than a “six figure” amount, Australian media reports said Thursday.
Marcia Mikhael, 43, a Westpac executive and mother of three, was one of the few hostages left inside the Lindt Cafe when police stormed and shot dead gunman Man Haron Monis in December.
Gunman Man Haron Monis took 18 customers hostage on the day.
Mikhael's lawyer, Jason Arraj, said she wants a “six-figure sum” to share her “wonderful story” and that she didn’t want to be “insulted” by low offers.
She was reportedly sitting near hostage Katrina Dawson when she was killed when police stormed the café, according to The Australian.
“It’s got to be a win-win business transaction... so when I say I don't want to be - insulted, I’m saying I don’t want a figure of $10,000 — that’s not going to cut it at all,” Arraj told the newspaper.
Mikhael has already recorded a paid-for interview for the Australian Channel 7.
Hostages caught up in the siege were said to receive $1,500 plus costs in compensation for the 16-hour ordeal, according to reports.
Arraj said Mikhael does not look forward “to profit from the payment but would direct the funds to a foundation she was planning to establish,” as reported by the Daily Telegraph.
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