Australia demands explanation from Tehran over transfer of Australian university professor imprisoned in Iran to undisclosed location

Australia says it has asked Tehran to explain reports of the transfer of Australian university professor Kylie Moore Gilbert from Qarchak prison to an unknown location in Iran.

According to the Associated Press, Australia's Foreign Ministry announced on Monday, November 25, that the country has requested an explanation for reports that Ms. Moore Gilbert, an Australian citizen imprisoned in Iran, has been transferred to an undisclosed location.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that Lyndall Sachs, the country's ambassador to Tehran, had a consular meeting with Ms. Moore Gilbert in Qarchak "some time ago" and that Australian officials were "seeking further information" about her transfer report.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has described pursuing Moore Gilbert's release as an "absolute priority" for the department.

Kylie Moore Gilbert, who specializes in Middle East affairs with a focus on the Persian Gulf, was recently arrested in Iran, and her arrest was announced by the Iranian judiciary spokesman on charges of “security and espionage.” The university professor has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

It was previously reported that Ms. Gilbert was transferred to Qarchak Prison in August, but human rights groups in Iran reported that she was transferred to an unknown location on Saturday.

Kylie Moore Gilbert recently went on a hunger strike in response to the court's decision to reject her appeal against a 10-year prison sentence.

The United States Department of State has repeatedly condemned the Islamic Republic's regime's arbitrary and unjustified detention of American and other citizens, including dual-national Iranians, and called for their immediate and unconditional release.

Source: Voice of America