Australian academic behind bars in hellhole Iranian jail is ‘doing fine’ – despite reports she’s being tortured and has repeatedly attempted suicide
- Kylie Moore-Gilbert was arrested while attending a conference in Tehran
- She was reportedly sentenced to 10 years behind bars in a notorious prison
- She claims to be in good spirits despite reports she attempted to take her life
Dr Moore-Gilbert (pictured) is reportedly in ‘good health’ behind bars in Iran
An Australian university lecturer who has spent almost two years in an Iranian prison is in ‘good health’ despite claims she had tried to end her own life.
Kylie Moore-Gilbert had reportedly attempted suicide multiple times after being left in unbearable conditions in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran.
She was arrested in September 2018 accused of espionage and is understood to be serving a 10 year sentence.
Dr Moore-Gilbert has always maintained her innocence and The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not accept the charges against her.
On Sunday, her family released a statement claiming she remains in ‘good health’, contradicting claims made she was struggling to adapt to life behind bars.
The family said they had a number of conversations with her in recent weeks.
‘She strongly denied reports that she has attempted suicide or that she is being tortured,’ they claimed.
‘She seems to be in good health considering her situation. We love her and miss her. We ask that you continue to respect both Kylie’s and our privacy while we concentrate on getting her home.’
Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert previously wrote to the Prime Minister to plead for her freedom
The university lecturer has been detained in Evin prison (pictured in 2006) since October 2018
Dr Moore-Gilbert had reportedly felt ‘abandoned and forgotten’ and claimed Iran tried to recruit her as a spy.
DFAT also released a statement on Sunday insisting Dr Moore-Gilbert was still a top priority.
‘Dr Moore-Gilbert’s case is one of our highest priorities, including for our embassy officials in Tehran,’ the statement reads.
‘We do not accept the charges upon which Dr Moore-Gilbert was convicted and continue all efforts to have her returned to Australia as soon as possible.’
Dr Moore-Gilbert (pictured) recently lost an appeal against her 10 year sentence
Foreign Minister Marise Payne has repeatedly raised the case with her Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif, a spokeswoman said.
It comes after letters smuggled out of Dr Moore-Gilbert’s cell in Evin prison, and seen by The Guardian, showed she begged to leave the restrictive unit where she served periods in solitary confinement.
Dr Moore-Gilbert, who lectured in Islamic studies at the University of Melbourne, was arrested while at an educational conference and later convicted of espionage.
The dual UK-Australian national claims she was shown two sentences, one which was 13 months long and another which said she would remain behind bars for a decade.
Pictured: Inside a corridor of the notorious Evin prison in Tehran as a guard monitors the halls
Pictured: Evin Prison from a distance in Tehrah, the capital of Iran, where Dr Moore-Gilbert is currently serving her sentence