The release by Iran of two Australian travel bloggers in an apparent prisoner swap deal with Iran has boosted another hope Melbourne University academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who is serving a 10-year sentence for espionage, may also be freed. Some crtitics expect the couples' release to help more prisoner swap deals acclerated between US and Iran too.
An Australian couple from Perth imprisoned in Iran for flying a drone near a military base has been freed in an apparent prisoner swap with Iranian authority.
The Australian government denies a quid pro quo, but the release of Jolie King and Mark Firkin from Evin prison came as an Iranian doctoral student, held in a Brisbane jail and wanted for extradition by the US on sanctions-busting allegations, was freed to go home.
British-Australian King and Australian citizen Firkin were arrested in early July, reportedly for flying a drone – to shoot video for their travel blog – near military installations in Jajrood in Tehran province.
Australia SPECTRUM examines comprehensively the implications of the release of an Australian couple in an apparenet prisoner swap.
The full story is available on the podcast above.
