An Australian university lecturer serving a 10-year sentence for espionage in Iran has been transferred to a notorious remote prison in the desert, the Australian government has confirmed.
Cambridge-educated Kylie Moore-Gilbert had been held in Evin Prison in the capital, Tehran, for nearly two years but she was suddenly moved about three days ago to Qarchak women’s prison.
Qarchak is in the desert east of Tehran. It holds political prisoners, serious drug offenders and murderers and has been described as overcrowded. There are concerns over whether there are enough beds for all inmates.
There have been reports of coronavirus cases in the prison.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the Iranian government said Dr Moore-Gilbert has been moved from Evin to Qarchak.
“We are urgently seeking further consular access to her at this new location.
“We hold Iran responsible for Dr Moore-Gilbert’s safety and well-being.
“Our Ambassador to Iran recently visited Dr Moore-Gilbert in Evin Prison, and she has had telephone contact with her family and the ambassador over the last several months.”
Read the article by Anthony Galloway in the Brisbane Times.
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