Aussie lecturer Kylie Moore-Gilbert jailed in Iran ‘desperate, crying for help’

Centre for Human Rights in Iran says Kylie Moore-Gilbert has tried to commit suicide on at least three occasions.

Kylie Moore-Gilbert was sentenced to ten year’s jail for spying and has been held in torturous conditions in the Evin Prison controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Intelligence Organization.

University of Melbourne lecturer Kylie Moore-Gilbert’s cries for help are so loud and desperate “even the walls of one of Iran’s most notorious prisons can’t ­silence them’’, a human rights group has reported.

New and horrifying details about Ms Moore-Gilbert, who was arrested at Tehran airport as she boarded a flight home after a study tour in Iran in September 2018, have been revealed by Reza Khandan, the husband of imprisoned lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh.

The Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said Ms Moore-Gilbert had tried to commit suicide at least three times and it was worried it had little information about her current condition.

Mr Khandan said Ms Moore-Gilbert was being held in solitary confinement in a room the size of a small bathroom and had to sleep on the floor next to a toilet. If she was moved, she was blindfolded. He said she was “extremely troubled, angry, and unhappy’’ and was being held in conditions that would drive her insane.

“During interrogations and investigations, it’s all the same, you have to be blindfolded,” he said. “Going to the prosecutor’s office, the clinic, out for air, or going to take a shower — all blindfolded.

“Her situation is absolutely unbearable and would destroy anyone’s soul and mind, and we don’t know what has happened to her in these past two years.’’ According to Mr Khandan, who was once detained in the same prison, Ms Moore-Gilbert is very upset and angry with her family as well as the Australian government and embassy because of their silence.

“During this time she has tried to inform people about her status through letters,” he wrote in a ­social media post. “She doesn’t have the ability to receive money or make purchases.”

Ms Moore-Gilbert was sentenced to 10 years’ jail for spying and has been held in torturous conditions in Evin Prison, which is controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Intelligence Organisation. Smuggled letters written by Ms Moore-Gilbert to prison officials were published in January, showing Ms Moore-Gilbert’s distress. In August, she wrote: “I think I am in the midst of a serious psychological problem, I can no longer stand the pressures of living in this extremely restrictive detention ward.’’

“Kylie’s cries for help are so loud and desperate that even the walls of one of Iran’s most notorious prisons can’t silence them,” CHRI executive director Hadi Ghaemi said. “The Australian government should heed her pleas and immediately facilitate her access to basic rights.’’

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide call Lifeline (13 11 14), the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).