Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Kylie Moore-Gilbert’s return to Australia after more than two years locked up in Iran was a ‘moment of pure joy’
- Academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert touched down in Canberra on Friday afternoon
- She was released this week after more than two years locked up in jail in Iran
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison said her return home was a ‘moment of pure joy’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the return of Kylie Moore-Gilbert to Australia after two years in an Iranian prison was a ‘moment of pure joy’.
The British-Australian academic was freed this week after spending more than two years in detention in Iran on spying charges she and the Australian government vehemently deny.
She arrived in Canberra on Friday afternoon and is now undergoing two weeks of mandatory hotel quarantine.
Mr Morrison this week described Dr Moore-Gilbert as ‘an extraordinarily intelligent, strong and courageous woman’ and an ‘amazing Australian’.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the return of Kylie Moore-Gilbert (pictured) to Australia after two years in an Iranian prison was a ‘moment of pure joy’
To a NSW Liberal State Council meeting on Saturday, Mr Morrison – who is also in isolation after his recent trip to Japan – also praised the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their hard work and Foreign Minister Marise Payne for her diplomatic efforts.
‘The return of Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert this week was a moment of pure joy,’ Mr Morrison said.
‘It was one of the really good days. And Marise’s efforts in leading that effort to secure Kylie’s release and see her come home to Australia is just absolutely tremendous.’
Both Mr Morrison and Senator Payne spoke to Dr Moore-Gilbert earlier in the week and described her as in good spirits.
The Middle Eastern studies lecturer at Melbourne University was arrested at Tehran’s airport in 2018 after attending an academic conference. She was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment on spying charges.
The Australian government has refused to confirm reports that her release was secured as part of a prisoner exchange. Three Iranian prisoners were released from Thailand earlier this week.
Mr Morrison this week described Dr Moore-Gilbert as ‘an extraordinarily intelligent, strong and courageous woman’ and an ‘amazing Australian’
She arrived in Canberra on Friday afternoon and is now undergoing two weeks of mandatory hotel quarantine