Bloggers could be used as ‘bargaining chips’

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The husband of a fellow inmate at the notorious Iranian prison where an Aussie couple are being held has revealed the horrific conditions inside.

Perth couple Jolie King and Mark Firkin were arrested in July while travelling through the Iranian capital on theirThey were reportedly detained for flying a drone they use to film their travels without a licence.

Earlier this year, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif pushed for Ghodskani’s release during a speech at the Asia Society in New York, saying nobody talked about her in Australia. Mr Zarif suggested at the time that Ghodskani could be swapped for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian project manager who has been detained in Iran on spying charges since 2016.“I put this offer on the table publicly now — exchange them,” he said. But the exchange never happened.Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Thursday that the Government was pressing Iran to free Ms King and Mr Firkin, as well as another British-Australian woman whose name has not been released.

A UN panel in 2018 described “an emerging pattern involving the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of dual nationals” in Iran, which Tehran denied.“We have no reason to think that these arrests are connected to international concern over Iran’s nuclear program, United Nations sanctions or sanctions enforcement or maritime security and the safety of civilian shipping,” she said.

However, the husband of British woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe — who is also being held in solitary confinement at Evin prison, as was Ms King — has given a frightening insight into the conditions inside. “Nazanin was kept in a room without any windows — so no natural light — it was a light bulb kept on the whole time.Ms King and Mr Firkin chucked in their jobs to set out on the trip of a lifetime but now, just over two years later, it’s abruptly come to an end.

 

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Why travel to a country like Iran, ffs

Gee it be hard to see jail over there

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Bloggers could be used as ‘bargaining chips’There are fears Iran wants to use two travel bloggers as bargaining chips in exchange for a mystery woman who “nobody talks about” in Australia. That's sad because everyone knows the Australian Government doesn't care about their citizens. Well they should have checked what they can and can't do in 'countries that have a bad wrap'. Don't think I'll pay any attention to their travel trips the tit for tat between nation's leaders that use their own and the citizens of rivals as tokens for bargaining is such BS. likely innocent people getting swept up in crap they didn't perpetuate. i say let ones who did be the dang chips i wanna live and let live. most all do imo
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

Families of Australian travel bloggers held in Iranian jail say they hope for their safe returnThe Australian travel bloggers detained in Iran are named as Perth couple Mark Firkin and Jolie King. let's go and do stupid shit in an islamic country with strict sharia law...what could possibly go wrong? 'we're aussies they wont care if we're ..not married, unveiled, flying drones'.... they were travelling in Iran blogging about travel? when is the Somalia to Afghanistan contiki tour review coming out? Erm, why did they think flying drone in Iran might be a good idea?
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Aussie couple detained in Iran namedBREAKING: An Australian man and British-Australian woman detained in an Iranian prison have been named as a couple of travel bloggers from Perth. What do people actually think will happen when they break the law in a middle eastern country? Judging by the job title of “travel bloggers” not much goes through their heads anyway. Very dangerous place for visitors Iranian Why would anyone in their right mind travel to Iran ? What’s next ? Syria ? North Korea ?
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

Detained bloggers quit their jobs to drive across the worldAustralian travel bloggers Mark Firkin and Jolie King were making an ambitious overland voyage from WA to the UK when their trip came to an abrupt halt near Tehran Obviously broke the law & were detained. Same thing would happen in Aust if they broke Aust laws. Some countries detain people before a court appearance due to flight risk, could be part of their legal system. Assange is a more worthy case to bail out. Journalism's not a crime. I’ve been traveling overland for 11 months, I really wanted to take a drone but read about many countries that don’t allow it. I decided against it. However whilst traveling I have met many who disregard the warnings, all for the money shot. They even laugh about it. Chasing $$$, ends in tears.
Source: theage - 🏆 8. / 77 Read more »

Detained bloggers quit their jobs to drive across the worldMark Firkin and Jolie King were the envy of their followers while on an ambitious road trip to some of the world's most beautiful and remote locations. Envy their stupidity? Flying a drone in Tehran near a military installation....are you fking serious? Talk about 1st world assumption-privilege. “Make way! Coming through!” Wouldn’t you seek to inform yourself about the laws of a country you are travelling through? Nevertheless, I hope Aust can help. I am sorry for the couple but honestly how naive are they...please JZarif HassanRouhani can you release the 3 Australians locked up in Iran . Individuals should never be used as tools in a geopolitical stoush. I am sorry Trump is an arse ..so too are many politicians.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Australian bloggers arrested in Iran identified as WA couple Jolie King and Mark FirkinFor flying drones in Iran. Do a 2 second Google search on 'flying drones overseas' ffs! Stupid!!
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »