Former American hostage in Iran warns Melbourne academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert is being held in Iran as bargaining chip

A leading British Conservative MP has accused Iran of hostage taking in its continued jailing of Melbourne academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert.

Tom Tugendhat’s accusation is the first significant political criticism of Iran for its treatment of the Australian-British dual national, who was sentenced to ten years jail for spying in 2018.

It comes as pressure grows on the Australian Government to help secure her release following confirmation she’s been moved to Iran’s Qarchak jail – one of the world’s worst female prisons.

Xiyue Wang knows firsthand the trauma of being imprisoned in Iran – he was jailed for 10 years on espionage charges before being released six months ago – three years into his sentence.

Listen to the program RN Breakfast with Hamish Macdonald.