Iran Swaps The Freedom Of Academic Kylie-Moore Gilbert Convicted Of Espionage With Three Of Its Citizens

Kylie-Moore Gilbert (Source: IRIB News)

JAKARTA - Iran has released Kylie-Moore Gilbert, an Australian-British academic who was sentenced to ten years in prison for espionage. Gilbert's freedom was exchanged for the three Iranians who were detained abroad.

The three Iranians were not identified. Footage released by broadcaster IRIB Wednesday, November 25 shows Gilbert, who has been imprisoned for more than two years, getting into a van.

Separate images show celebrations taking place as the Iranians were liberated. They are described as "traffickers arrested overseas on false charges." Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appears to be in the middle of a welcoming party.

Gilbert is a Cambridge graduate Middle East scholar. Gilbert was arrested September 2018 in the Iranian capital, Tehran. He was sentenced to ten years in prison for espionage.

Last month Gilbert was transferred from Qarchak women's prison to Evin prison in Tehran. The move came after two senior court officials visited Qarchak prison. The two officials are said to have spent hours talking to the detainees about their conditions.

The women's prison, which is located outside Tehran, has been blacklisted under UN human rights sanctions. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was "delighted and relieved" about Moore-Gilbert's release.