Thailand approves transfer of three Iranians linked to botched 2012 Bangkok bombing

The bomb plot was exposed in 2012 when an accidental explosion blew apart the Bangkok villa where the three men were staying

Thailand’s move came as Tehran released British-Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert in exchange for three Iranians held abroad

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Thai bomb squad officials inspect the site of an explosion in Bangkok in February 2012. File photo: AFP

Published: 4:19pm, 26 Nov 2020Updated: 4:19pm, 26 Nov 2020

Thai officials said on Thursday they approved the transfer back to Tehran of three Iranians who were involved in a botched 2012 bomb plot, as Iran released a 33-year-old Australian academic who was imprisoned for more than two years on spying charges.

Thai officials did not go so far as to call it a prisoner swap or say what involvement Australia might have had in the arrangement. Iranian state TV said Tehran released British-Australian Kylie Moore-Gilbert in exchange for three Iranians held abroad.

Chatchom Akapin, Thailand’s deputy attorney general, said that Thai authorities had approved the transfer of the prisoners under an agreement with Iran.

“These types of transfers aren’t unusual,” he said. “We transfer prisoners to other countries and at the same time receive Thais back under this type of agreement all the time.”

Tehran released British-Australian Kylie Moore-Gilbert in exchange for three Iranians held abroad. Photo: Iranian State Television via AP

In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “thrilled and relieved” that Moore-Gilbert had been released but added it would take time for her to process her “horrible” ordeal.

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