High level talks to free Melbourne academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert involved Israel and Thailand as part of a complex prisoner swap that led to the release of three terrorists who had tried to kill Israeli diplomats.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison refused to confirm details of the exchange after lengthy negotiations secured Dr Moore-Gilbert’s release more than two years after she was accused of being a spy and jailed.
Dr Moore-Gilbert, 33, is on her way back home on a chartered flight. She will be required to undergo 14 days hotel quarantine upon her return, though she will be allowed to receive support during that time as she adjusts back to everyday life.
Mr Morrison, who spoke to Dr Moore-Gilbert, hailed her release as a “miracle” as he condemned the Iranian regime’s use of “hostage diplomacy” to gain leverage in the west.
“The detention of Australians for no reason that can be substantiated is just not on,” he said.
“It’s not lawful, it is not recognised by Australia and we won’t accept it and we will do everything to ensure we can, in Australia’s interest, to secure the release of people who have been falsely detained.”
Iranian state media reported three Iranian men, described as “economic activists”, were released in return for Dr Moore-Gilbert, who was labelled a “Zionist” spy for Israel’s military.
However, the trio are reportedly terrorists convicted of a plot eight years ago in Thailand to assassinate Israeli diplomats including the ambassador to Thailand. One of the men blew his legs off when a bomb exploded as he tried to flee. Footage of the men’s arrival at Tehran airport showed them being given a hero’s welcome.
Read the article by Andrew Tillett in the Australian Financial Review.