Former Australian prisoners held by China, Iran and Myanmar unite against ‘hostage diplomacy’

(From left) Australian-Chinese journalist Cheng Lei, Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert and Australian economist Sean Turnell co-founded the Australian Wrongful and Arbitrary Detention Alliance. PHOTO: SENATOR PENNY WONG/X
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SYDNEY – Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, an Australian-British academic specialising in the Middle East, was on a study trip to Iran in 2018 when she was suddenly arrested and detained on charges of espionage, which she has always denied.

She spent 804 days in prison before she was eventually released in exchange for three convicted Iranians involved in a terrorist attack in Thailand in 2012.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.