Kylie Moore-Gilbert: Academic says Iran detention was
'long and traumatic'
A British-Australian academic who has been freed from jail in Iran has thanked supporters for getting her through
"a long and traumatic ordeal".
Kylie Moore-Gilbert has consistently denied accusations of espionage since her arrest in Iran in September 2018.
She had been serving a 10-year sentence but was released in a swap for three jailed Iranians, Tehran said.
Dr Moore-Gilbert's family said they were "relieved and ecstatic" that she was free.
The Melbourne University lecturer had been travelling on an Australian passport in 2018 when she was detained
at Tehran airport as she tried to leave following a conference.
Concerns for her wellbeing escalated in August when news emerged that she had been transferred to Qarchak,
a notorious prison in the desert.
On Thursday, Dr Moore-Gilbert said Australian officials had worked "tirelessly" to secure her freedom.
She thanked them and other supporters who had "meant the world to me" while in detention.
"I have nothing but respect, love and admiration for the great nation of Iran and its warm-hearted, generous and
brave people," she said in a statement.
"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."
The Cambridge-educated scholar - who was tried in secret - had endured "over 800 days of incredible hardship",
her family added.
"We cannot convey the overwhelming happiness that each of us feel at this incredible news," they said in
a statement released by the Australian government.
According to Iranian state media, she was exchanged for an Iranian businessman and two Iranian citizens
"who had been detained abroad". They have not yet been named.
Video of the apparent exchange was published by state broadcaster IRIB news and the Tasnim website.
Read on to continue here. : แจ็คพอตสล็อตออนไลน์
|
|
