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Pair who flew drone in Iran back in Australian after release from jail

Oct 6, 2019

CANBERRA, Australia – The Australian couple imprisoned in Iran for the past three months have arrived home.

The pair, Jolie King and her partner Mark Firkin, bloggers who were arrested by Iranian authorities for flying a drone, and originally accused of spying, were released after all charges against them were dropped. They arrived at the Perth International Airport. The couple live in Perth, the capital of Western Australia.

They were detained for 3 months at a detention centre in the capital Tehran.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne confirmed the dropping of charges and that the couple were in “good health and in good spirits.”

“I’m pleased to be able to advise that the Iranian government has released Australian couple Jolie King and Mark Firkin from custody and has dropped the charges against them. For Jolie and for Mark the ordeal that they have been through is now over. They are being united with their loved ones which is a source of great relief and joy to everyone. I can tell you that they are in good health and in good spirits,” Payne said Saturday.

“I would particularly like to thank Australia’s consular officials and diplomatic officials who have helped to bring this case to a successful conclusion. They have worked very hard for Jolie and for Mark. The Australian government fully respects the privacy of Jolie and Mark and their family and I would urge all Australians to do the same in these circumstances,” she added.

“Great to have Jolie and Mark home. Thanks to the whole team involved in bringing them home,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted Saturday afternoon.

The couple described their ordeal in a statement released by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Saturday.

“While the past few months have been very difficult, we know it has also been tough for those back home who have been worried for us,” the couple said.

“We are grateful for the efforts of the Australian Government in helping secure our release, and we thank our family and friends for their love and support.”

“While we understand the intense public interest, we do not wish to comment further at this time and request the media let us and our families get back to our normal lives,” the couples’ joint statement said.

“We know there are others who remain in detention in Iran, including a fellow Australian, and believe intense media coverage may not be helpful for efforts to bring them home.”

University of Melbourne academician Kylie Moore-Gilbert remains behind bars in Iran after she was arrested on charges of espionage in October last year. She is now serving a ten-year jail sentence.

“The Australian government is continuing to seek her return to Australia. And discussions with authorities in Iran on that matter are ongoing. So I would not make further comment on that case in particular.” Australian Foreign Minister Payne said.

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