Academic jailed in Iran moved to remote prison

TW: Mention of rape

Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a British-Australian lecturer, has been moved to a Qarchak prison, often used for Iranian political prisoners.

Dr Moore-Gilbert was detained in September 2018 at Tehran Airport after an academic conference where she was thought to be suspicious by other members. She was then jailed for ten years under espionage charges, which she denies.

Iran previously asked her to spy for them, however she said “I am not a spy. I have never been a spy and I have no interest in working for a spying organisation in any country.” This reluctance to work with them is believed to be one of the reasons for the move. She has also written in smuggled letters of months solitary confinement and shortages of food.

Qarchak prison is overcrowded, and has inhumane conditions such as rodents, urine stained floors, poor food quality, including food containing stones, and a lack of ventilation. There are also reports of torture and rape, and mixing political prisoners with ordinary and dangerous criminals.

When speaking to Reze Khandan, husband of jailed human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, she says she feels hopeless. This is a terrible human rights violation and Dr Moore-Gilbert, and other prisoners, must have their rights upheld and be removed from the prison.