- An Australian woman has been released from an Iranian prison after spending more than 800 days locked up for alleged espionage offences
- Footage released by local media overnight shows Kylie Moore-Gilbert being freed from detention in exchange for three Iranian men being released
- The Prime Minister has welcomed her release but declined to say whether it came as a result of a prisoner swap
- The University of Melbourne lecturer was detained in Tehran in September 2018 and handed a 10-year sentence for spying
- Kylie has always denied the accusations against her and said in a statement that it was “bittersweet” to be leaving the country
An Australian academic has been released from an Iranian prison after spending more than 800 days locked up for alleged espionage offences.
Kylie Moore-Gilbert was freed from detention in exchange for the release of three Iranian men imprisoned abroad.
She was first locked up back in September 2018 after being convicted of spying on the Iran Government — a charge she flatly denies.
Video of Kylie’s release was released overnight by local media, showing the University of Melbourne lecturer at what appears to be Tehran airport.
Three men, draped in the Iran flag, can also be seen being released.
News: Iran releases British Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert in a swap for three Iranian men held abroad.
— Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) November 25, 2020
First footage: pic.twitter.com/n98gTAAbIi
The Prime Minister has welcomed the news but declined to say whether the change was as a result of a prisoner swap.
“She’s with Australian officials who are giving her all the support she needs, there’ll be quite an adjustment for Kylie, she’s gone through a terrible ordeal, an absolutely awful ordeal,” Scott Morrison told Seven.
“The injustice of her detention and her conviction, Australia has always rejected, and I’m just so pleased that Kylie’s coming home,” he added.
In a statement following her release, Kylie thanked the Federal Government for its support over the last two-and-a-half years.
The Australian also said leaving Iran was bittersweet and again denied the accusation of spying which has been levelled against her.
“I have nothing but respect, love and admiration for the great nation of Iran and its warm-hearted, generous and brave people,” she said.
“It is with bittersweet feelings that I depart your country, despite the injustices which I have been subjected to,” she added.