Thailand confirms identities of three prisoners exchanged for Kylie Moore Gilbert

A day after the release of Australian citizen Kylie Moore Gilbert from Evin Prison, Thai authorities confirmed that they had sent three Iranian prisoners who were being held in the country to Tehran.

Iranian media reported on Wednesday, December 25, that Kylie Moore Gilbert, who was imprisoned in Iran on charges of "spying for Israel," had been released in exchange for the release of "three Iranian businessmen."

However, despite significant media coverage and the welcome given to these three prisoners by the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, these reports did not mention the identities of the three individuals, who were described as businessmen.

In a film released of the exchange between the three people and the Australian-British researcher, all three are wearing masks and black brimmed hats.

Now, Thai officials have confirmed to the Associated Press that they have sent three Iranians arrested in connection with the 2012 bombing plot to Tehran.

In February 2011, following explosions at a team house in Bangkok, three Iranians escaped from the house, reportedly injured, according to local witnesses.

Thai police arrested two of the men in Thailand and charged them with bombing Israeli targets, a charge that Iran denied at the time.

The third person was arrested at the Malaysian airport, while, according to police, he was planning to flee to Tehran.

One of these individuals, Masoud Moradi, who was 28 at the time, left two bombs in public places during his escape, one of which caused him to lose both of his legs. He arrived at Tehran airport last night in a wheelchair.

Thailand's deputy prosecutor told the Associated Press that the three were repatriated under an agreement between Iran and Thailand, and that such prisoner exchanges are "not unusual."

On Wednesday, December 25, the Iranian Broadcasting Agency (IRNA) introduced these three individuals as "three Iranian economic activists who were arrested for attempting to circumvent sanctions."

Source: Radio Farda