Kylie Moore-Gilbert’s family are hopeful of her release as she continues to exercise in jail
Determined Australian academic Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert has been staying fit in jail in Iran, as her family say they were “far from losing hope” of her being released one day.
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Determined Australian academic Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert has been staying fit in jail in Iran, as her family say they were “far from losing hope” despite the “unimaginable pain” they have endured.
University of Melbourne Islamic studies expert Kylie Moore-Gilbert will mark two years in jail on Sunday.
News Corp Australia can reveal that she has been exercising inside Qarchak prison, described as the world’s worst female jail.
A source inside the violent prison said she has been jogging in the exercise yard in prison issued plastic bathroom slippers.
Her family said that she was strong despite all she had been through.
“This Sunday, 13 September, marks two years of unimaginable pain for our family,” the statement said.
“We love Kylie very much and we remain strong and far from losing hope.
“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.”
Dr Moore-Gilbert was arrested at Tehran’s international airport as she was about to return home from a conference she had attended at the University of Qom.
She was charged with spying and sentenced in a secret court hearing to 10 years’ jail. She has consistently denied all charges.
The Australian Government has been lobbying behind the scenes for Dr Moore-Gilbert’s release, which some former prisoners have criticised as the wrong strategy.
“We thank the Federal Government for its continued and persistent efforts to bring Kylie home, and we thank the Australian public for their continued support and concern,” the family said.
“We all want the same thing, which is Kylie’s safe return soon.”
Dr Moore-Gilbert was held in solitary confinement at Tehran’s Evin Prison under the watch of the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
But she was moved in the early hours of the morning in late July to Qarchak prison, a former chicken slaughterhouse that houses hardened criminals.
Dr Moore-Gilbert managed to smuggle letters out to News Corp Australia in December last year, where she begged Prime Minister Scott Morrison for help and went on a Christmas Eve hunger strike.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Friday that “our thoughts are with Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert and her family on the second anniversary of her detention in Iran.”
“The Government’s efforts to secure Dr Moore-Gilbert’s release are an absolute priority and continue without pause,” she said.
“We do not accept the charges upon which Dr Moore-Gilbert was convicted, and want to see her returned to Australia as soon as possible.”
Iran has restricted access to Dr Moore-Gilbert in Qarchak and she was reportedly being followed by two spies inside Qarchak to monitor her movements.
“We continue to seek regular consular access to Dr Moore-Gilbert,” Ms Payne said.
“While we work hard to bring her home, our utmost priority is on her health, wellbeing and safety.”
Dr Moore-Gilbert was a popular member of staff at the University of Melbourne, who have been crushed by her detention.
She grew up in Bathurst, New South Wales, and also attended the University of Cambridge.
The University of Melbourne said the case was “unimaginable and deeply distressing to her family, colleagues and friends.”
“Kylie is always in our thoughts and we wish she could be at home with her family, friends and University colleagues,” Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell said.
“Kylie’s health, safety and freedom is our absolute priority.”
Her friends have organised an event on Sunday where they will be encouraging people to run or jog in support of her.
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