Prefer Jewish News on Google
British-Australian academic accused of ties to Jewish university freed by Iran
Kylie Moore-Gilbert shown being released from prison after more than 800 days behind bars while describing her as 'a spy with dual nationality'
An Australian-British academic imprisoned by Iran for espionage on charges that she worked for MI6 and had links with Jewish universities has been freed as part of a prisoner exchange.
Iranian state media showed Kylie Moore-Gilbert being released from prison after more than 800 days behind bars while describing her as “a spy with dual nationality” who worked for Israel.
A Middle East scholar at the University of Melbourne, she was arrested at Tehran’s airport by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in September 2018 after attending an academic conference in the holy city of Qom, in central Iran.
According to letters she smuggled out of prison and published in January, Moore-Gilbert rejected Tehran’s offer to work as a spy. She said: “I am not a spy. I have never been a spy. I have no interest in spying for any organisation.”
Two of the Iranian men who were released as part of the prisoner swap are believed to have been convicted of terrorism eight years ago in Thailand. Prosecutors said they were part of an attempt to assassinate Israeli diplomats in Bangkok.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
