Jolie King and Mark Firkin in India. Instagram
Camera IconJolie King and Mark Firkin in India. Instagram Credit: Supplied/Instagram

Diplomats working on Perth couple’s release

AAPWestern Suburbs Weekly

PETER Dutton says diplomatic efforts are in full swing to secure the release of a globetrotting Perth couple locked up in Iran.

Perth travel bloggers Mark Firkin and Jolie King have been locked up in Iran for more than 10 weeks for flying a drone without a permit.

A British-Australian university lecturer has been detained in the same prison for several months and has reportedly been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

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The home affairs minister said all available resources would be allocated to supporting the three Australians and their families.

“It’s best that we don’t publicly comment on it,” Mr Dutton told the Nine Network on Friday.

Jolie King/Instagram
Camera IconJolie King/Instagram Credit: Supplied/Jolie King/Instagram

“I think we’re better to let the diplomats do their work and for us to work through the links we have with Iran, so we can get these people back home as soon as possible.”

Government ministers have rejected suggestions Australia is somehow being targeted for joining a US-led mission to defend shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, or over global unrest about Iran’s nuclear program.

Deputy opposition leader Richard Marles agrees.

“I don’t think there’s any evidence of that,” Mr Marles said.