Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert has been released from prison in Tehran in exchange for the release of three Iranian prisoners. The Iranian state television channel IRIB reported this today.
–
IRIB did not provide further details on the three Iranian prisoners, but the channel is considered well-informed and close to the country’s judicial system.
–
Moore-Gilbert, a lecturer in Islamic studies at the University of Melbourne, was arrested in Tehran in September 2018 following an academic conference. She later was sentenced to 10 years in prison in a secret trial on charges of espionage. Both Moore-Gilbert and the Australian government have denied the charges.
–
Previous attempts by the Australian government to get her released through diplomacy had failed. Iran said its judicial system is independent and would not be affected by such steps.
–
Two prisoner exchanges with Iran have already taken place this year. A German was released in February and a French citizen in March, each in exchange for one Iranian prisoner.
–
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss out on the stars.
–
–
