Iran Frees British-Australia Academic After Two Years' Detention

A British-Australia academic returned to Australia Friday after being imprisoned for more than two years in Iran before a prisoner swap deal this week.

A University of Melbourne lecturer, Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert was sentenced to 10 years in prison after she was convicted of espionage - a charge that she has repeatedly denied.

Moore-Gilbert was met by public health authorities and members of the Australian Defense Force after disembarking at Canberra Airport 24 hours after Iran released her.

The same plane had earlier transported three Iran citizens imprisoned in Thailand for their involvement in a foiled 2012 plot to assassinate Israel public officials.

According to Iran's state-run broadcaster, Moore-Gilbert was released Nov. 26 in exchange for three Iranians.

Moore-Gilbert said she was grateful to the Australia government and all those who campaigned for her freedom. "I came to Iran as a friend and with friendly intentions and depart Iran with those sentiments not only still intact, but strengthened," Reuters quoted her as saying.

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed Moore-Gilbert's release and that he had spoken to her, saying "it's wonderful to hear her voice." Morrison declined to comment whether a prisoner swap had been made.

Moore-Gilbert was detained at Tehran airport as she tried to leave following a conference. Worries about her well-being escalated in August when it was reported she had been transferred to Qarchak, a notorious jail facility in the desert.

Moore-Gilbert spent long periods in solitary confinement and went on hunger strikes.

Moore-Gilbert said she has "nothing but respect, love, and admiration for the great nation of Iran and its warm-hearted, generous and brave people," ABC News reported.