Melbourne academic identified as third Australian detained in Iran
Melbourne academic Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert has been identified as the woman detained in Iran with a Perth couple.
Dr Moore-Gilbert is an Academic Fellow and Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne.
Following the news of three Australians being detained in Iran, Dr Moore-Gilbert’s family have released a statement.
“We have been and continue to be in close contact with the Australian Government,” the statement says.
“Our family thanks the Government and the University of Melbourne for their ongoing support at this distressing and sensitive time.
“We believe that the best chance of securing Kylie’s safe return is through diplomatic channels.”
Dr Moore-Gilbert is one of three Australians being detained in Iran. It is believed Dr Gilbert-Moore has been detained for a number of months, while an Australian couple has been detained for a number of weeks.
The ABC has reported Dr Moore-Gilbert has been sentenced to 10 years in jail by Iranian authorities.
Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Marise Payne gave an update on the detained Australians in the senate during question time on Thursday, clarifying the three Australians being detained were two separate cases.
Response on the detention of Australians in Iran.#Iran @Smartraveller @DFAT pic.twitter.com/sL0dtv5Guz
— Marise Payne (@MarisePayne) September 12, 2019
“One involves an Australian woman who has been detained for a number of months. The second concerns a young couple who have been detained now for a number of weeks,” Ms Payne said.
“I have communicated with my Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Zarif, many times about these cases, including through face-to-face meetings. We met as recently as last week.
Travel bloggers arrested for flying drone
On Thursday, Mark Firkin and Jolie King were identified as the two other Australians detained in Iran’s capital.
The Perth couple were adventuring throughout Asia, and were reportedly arrested about 10 weeks ago for flying a drone without a licence.
Their travels are documented on various forms of social media under the name, The Way Overland.
The couple have more than 21,000 followers on YouTube, where they document their travels
Their last YouTube video was uploaded on June 26.
“Our families hope to see Mark and Jolie safely home as soon as possible. We have no further comment to make at this stage and ask that the media respects our privacy at this difficult time,” a statement from Firkin and King’s families said.
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