Kylie Moore-Gilbert free from Iran prison, PM Scott Morrison celebrates ‘wonderful’ news
Despite local reports in Iran, Scott Morrison will not confirm Iranian reports a prisoner swap deal was set up to rescue Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert.
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Kylie Moore-Gilbert was freed in exchange for three men who were accused of a bungled Bangkok bomb plot that cost one of them their legs, reports claim.
Saeed Moradi, Mohammad Khazaei, Masoud Sedaghat Zadeh were charged over the foiled plot on Valentine’s Day in 2012.
The Iranians were released on Thursday Australian time following a deal to get Dr Moore-Gilbert out of a Tehran prison.
Moradi was sentenced to life in prison at a court hearing in 2013 for his role in the plot.
He blew off his legs when he tried to throw a bomb at police who were about to arrest him.
The court found him “guilty of carrying explosives in public, using explosives in an attempt to kill officials and using explosives which caused the destruction of property.
“Because attempted murder displays serious intent, the court sentenced him to life in prison,” the judge said, according to a Bangkok Post report.
Mohammad Khazaei was an accomplice in the Thai bomb plot, who was sentenced to 15 years jail for possession of explosives.
Police had raided a home he was sharing with Moradi, but he managed to jump in a cab to Bangkok airport.
He was arrested at the boarding gate. He had denied terrorism offences.
Masoud Sedaghat Zadeh, who was the third man involved in the alleged plot to blow up Israeli diplomats, managed to board a plane to Malaysia.
However he was arrested in Malaysia and extradited to Thailand. Israeli claimed that Iran was behind the plot but Tehran denied the claim.
Sam Shahravi, a reporter at Manoto News, an Iranian outlet based in London, questioned the decision to release the prisoners “in exchange with #KylieMooreGilbert.”
In a series of tweets, he claimed that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and Australia’s spooks at the Australian Secret Intelligence Service did the deal.
“A big shame for the western society that deals with Regime hostage taking! After comprehensive negotiations between with #Mossad and #ASIS!,” he tweeted.
AUSTRALIA WON’T CONFIRM PRISON SWAP DEAL
Australia will not confirm the Iranian reports of a prisoner swap deal.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia had “consistently rejected” the grounds on which Dr Moore-Gilbert was detained by Iran, but declined to confirm reports her freedom was brought about as a result of the release of three Iranian citizens.
“Every case of this nature is considered individually and the best strategy is carefully considered each and ... indeed reviewed through that period,” she said.
“We draw on experience, we draw on the professional judgement of DFAT and other officers.
Iranian state media has reported Dr Moore-Gilbert was released in exchange for an Iranian businessman and two Iranian citizens “who had been detained abroad”.
They have not yet been named.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Australian government “doesn’t acknowledge or confirm any such arrangement regarding any release of any other persons in any other places”.
“If other people have been released in other places, they are the decisions of the sovereign governments in those places,” he said.
“There are no people who have been held in Australia who have been released.”
Ms Payne said she was “extremely pleased” Dr Moore-Gilbert had been released from her “unjustified detention in Iran” and would soon be able to resume her normal life.
“This is cause for great relief and also great joy today,” she said.
“She is healthy and in good spirits. On her return, she will (go) into quarantine, but she will not be alone and she is well supported.
“I am not able to disclose the location of her quarantine, nor any other private details. We would all understand that Dr Moore-Gilbert has adjustments to make, some plans to consider, so this will be a period of privacy and one expects, decompression.”
Mr Morrison described her as an “extraordinarily intelligent, strong and courageous woman”, after she was released from a jail in Iran.
The Prime Minister said she is an “amazing Australian” who has gone through an ordeal that we can only imagine and it will be a tough transition for her, as it has been for others in similar experiences in the past.
“I know she will get tremendous support from her friends and family and she will of course get tremendous support from the Australian government, both in her return home, as all of the counselling and other support and debriefing and health support that she will need as you make that transition,” he said.
Mr Morrison acknowledged the government had a “few false starts” in securing her release, but he thanked her family for trusting the government to secure her freedom.
“I want to thank her family for the trust, the confidence, they have shown towards our diplomatic and consular officers,” he said.
“I also thank her employer, Melbourne University, and her academic colleagues for their support and cooperation.”
Dr Moore-Gilbert will be reunited with her family after she spent 804 days in hell hole prisons in Iran.
KYLIE’S FIRST WORDS AFTER FREEDOM
Dr Moore-Gilbert said those who campaigned for her released from jail in Iran “meant the world to her.”
She thanked the Australian government, who secured her released in a prisoner swap, which was revealed on Thursday morning.
“Thank you also to all of you who have supported me and campaigned for my freedom, it has meant the world to me to have you behind me throughout what has been a long and traumatic ordeal,” she said.
“I have nothing but respect, love and admiration for the great nation of Iran and its warm-hearted, generous and brave people.
“It is with bittersweet feelings that I depart your country, despite the injustices which I have been subjected to. I came to Iran as a friend and with friendly intentions, and depart Iran with those sentiments not only still intact, but strengthened.”
Mr Morrison confirmed he had spoken with Dr Moore-Gilbert on Thursday morning saying it was “wonderful” to hear her voice.
“Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert is coming home,” he said in a statement.
“Last night I was advised that after more than two years of detention following her arrest, conviction and sentencing to ten years in prison by the Iranian Government, and following concerted and determined diplomatic effort by our Government and our officials, working closely together with her family and colleagues, Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert had finally been released and was safe with our Ambassador and our officials in Tehran.”
Mr Morrison said Dr Moore-Gilbert was “now finally on her way home”.
“I spoke to Kylie this morning,” he said. “It was wonderful to hear her voice and I look forward to seeing her after her return.”
Mr Morrison said securing Dr Moore-Gilbert’s release had been an “absolute high priority” for the Government.
“We have always rejected her conviction and detention and I join with all Australians in praising Dr Moore-Gilbert and her family for their courage, strength and patience as we have all worked tirelessly together to secure her release,” he said.
“I also thank our amazing team of consular and other officials, our DFAT team, together with Minister Marise Payne, for doing such as outstanding job.”
Ms Payne thanked the “dedicated officials” who worked to secure her release.
“I wish Dr Moore-Gilbert well in her recovery and her return to life in Australia. No doubt, as she recovers, she will draw on the same strength and determination that helped her get through her period of detention,” she said.
“I also commend the endurance, trust and resilience of Dr Moore-Gilbert’s family, friends and university colleagues throughout this period.”
Ms Payne said current travel advice to Iran still stands.
“Firstly, we advise do not travel to Iran and particularly at this point in time due to the COVID-19 outbreak that is common across our formal travel advice, but we also add that the security situation remains volatile and there is a high risk that you could be arbitrarily detained or arrested,” she said.
KYLIE’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS REACT
Dr Moore-Gilbert’s family said they were “relieved and ecstatic” at her release.
“We cannot convey the overwhelming happiness that each of us feel at this incredible news,” they said in a statement.
“Our family sincerely thanks the Australian government for its sustained efforts to secure Kylie’s freedom, in particular Marise Payne, Lyndall Sachs and Scott Morrison.
“We also recognise all those who worked so tirelessly behind the scenes to achieve this outcome.”
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell said he was “delighted”.
“We have waited a long time for this day,” he said.
“The University is grateful that Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert has now been released and will return to her family, friends and the broader University community. Thank you to everyone involved in her successful release.”
Another group of friends said they were “over the moon” that she is on her way home.
A group of her friends said in a statement: “An innocent woman is finally free. Today is a very bright day in Australia indeed!
“But let’s be clear: This should never have happened. Kylie was held to ransom by the Iranian regime, which saw fit to take an innocent Australian woman hostage in order to bring its own convicted prisoners abroad home. It’s a despicable business model with incalculable human consequences.”
Peter Greste, journalist and academic who spent 13 months in jail in Egypt on trumped up charges, said: “Unfreakingbelievable!!! …. it is the best news in a truly crap year.”
The University of Melbourne academic was swapped for three Iranian businessmen, according to reports from Iranian news websites.
HOW KYLIE WAS RELEASED
Footage played on Iribnews, the country’s national broadcaster, showed Dr Moore-Gilbert being driven in a van.
She appeared well, although she turned her face at one point from the cameras.
Dr Moore-Gilbert, who was arrested in 2018 when she was at the Tehran international airport, has always denied claims she was acting as a spy.
Her case was heard in secret and was conducted in Farsi, the official Iranian language, leaving her little chance to defend herself.
She was reported to Iranian authorities by a colleague at her conference at the University of Qom, to which she was invited.
There have been suspicions that the invitation was a trap.
“An Iranian businessman and two Iranian citizens who were detained abroad on baseless charges were exchanged for a dual national spy named Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who worked for the Zionist regime,” the Young Journalist Club news website, linked to the regime, said.
Dr Moore-Gilbert, 33, had been moved out of Qarchak prison, described as one of the world’s worst female jails, in October, raising some hope of her release.
However, there was confusion about where she had been taken for almost a week until it was revealed she had been returned to Evin prison.
Dr Moore-Gilbert pleaded with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in a letter first published by News Corp Australia, to get her out of Iran on Christmas Eve last year.
Mr Morrison said after those reports that Australia was trying to be “discreet” in its efforts.
Dr Moore-Gilbert’s family released a statement in September to mark two years behind bars.
“We love Kylie very much and we remain strong and far from losing hope,” she said.
“For those who also know and love Kylie, they will recognise her fortitude and strength. We know this strength remains with her throughout this ordeal.”
Friends of Dr Moore-Gilbert said on Thursday morning Australian time that they were excited and relieved.
“I’ve seen the video and that’s what clinched it,” a friend, who asked not to be named, said.
“We’ve been exchanging messages. We’re just relieved for Kylie and want her to have peace to get over the ordeal, which won’t be easy.”
stephen.drill@news.co.uk
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