Aussie couple arrested at gunpoint in Iran for flying drone ready to share story

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The Australian couple from Perth, who was arrested at gunpoint for flying a drone in Iran, share a bit of their story.

Aussie couple arrested at gunpoint in Iran for flying drone share part of story

Jolie King and Mark Firkin, a traveling and blogging couple from Perth, Australia were arrested at gunpoint for flying their drone in Iran near a military zone on June 30th, 2019.

They were detained in Iran for several months before the Australian government was able to secure their release last October.

King and Firkin have been relatively quiet since their release and return to Australia and apart from a statement that was issued upon their return, we haven’t heard much at all.

Aussie Couple Arrested At Gunpoint In Iran For Flying Drone Ready To Share Story 1

However, on Tuesday, exactly one year after their arrest, the posted on Instagram that they will continue traveling when they can.

“G’day.

It’s been a while…

A lot can happen in 12 months!

Tonight, June 30, at midnight will mark 12 months to the minute we were taken at gunpoint from our beds.

We might give some more info shortly on what actually happened though in the mean time, we’re OK and the Troopy [car] has been relocated and is currently patiently waiting in safe hands until we can be reunited and continue on.

Thanks for anyone who has assisted or sent messages of support; we hope everyone is safe and well whereever you are in the world.

Cheers.”

Prior to being arrested Firking and King were traveling through Australia, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. After their arrest, they spent several months in the notorious Evin Prison.

Firkin and King were released and all charges were dropped in an apparent prisoner swap. The Australian government denies this even though around the same time the bloggers’ were released an Iranian doctoral student in Brisbane was released and free to return to Iran instead of being extradited the United States.

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Photo courtesy of Firking and King


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Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co and EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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