Australia’s safe house for Iranian defectors is COMPROMISED – as one of the women suddenly changes her mind and calls for help
Australia’s safe house for Iranian female athletes has been put in jeopardy after one of the women reversed her asylum decision and contacted the Iranian Embassy.
Home Secretary Tony Burke confirmed the secret location was revealed during Question Time on Wednesday.
Burke said the breach occurred ‘shortly after 10am’ when one of the two women who had planned to stay in Australia suddenly changed her mind following conversations with teammates who had already left.
‘In Australia people can change their minds, they are allowed to travel,’ Burke said.
‘We respect the context in which he made this decision.
‘Unfortunately, while making this decision, his teammates and his coach advised him to contact the Iranian Embassy and pick him up.’
Burke said authorities questioned the player to make sure the choice was truly his, but the damage had already been done.
“As a result of this, the Iranian Embassy now knew where everyone was,” Burke said.
Mehdi Taj (pictured, centre) accused the Australian government of kidnapping national women’s team players and holding them hostage
Tony Burke (centre) confirms other women have moved to new location
‘I immediately gave instructions for people to be moved and this situation was dealt with immediately.
‘Each member of this delegation was treated with respect by Australia that is unusual in Iran.’
On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei issued an extraordinary message about X, urging the women to return and accusing Australia of exploiting them.
‘To the dear ladies of our country’s women’s football team, I say this: Iran is waiting for you with open arms. Don’t worry. Return home,’ Baghaei wrote.
‘They killed 170 innocent primary school girls in a two-stage attack with Tomahawk missiles in the city of Minab, and now they are trying to take our female athletes hostage under the guise of ‘rescuing’ them.
‘What hypocrisy and arrogance!’
The explosive remarks came after it was confirmed that six players and a procurement manager had remained in Australia and sought asylum.
The remaining members of the Iran team who did not seek asylum left Sydney late on Tuesday night.
Image: Iranian players refusing to sing the national anthem in the first Asian Cup match on March 2
Image: Members of the Iranian women’s team who accepted Australia’s asylum offer and received humanitarian visas
Tony Burke (pictured) reveals safe house for Iranian players has been compromised
Burke said officials met privately with each team member to ensure they could make their own decisions, free of Iranian influence.
Iranian refugee advocate Ara Rasuli, who is helping the group, said Canberra was working hard to protect those who wanted to stay.
“They are in grave danger,” Ms. Rasuli warned.
‘There are all kinds of threats, from the detention of families to the confiscation of their assets. That’s why most of the girls chose to return home; ‘The risks are a major concern.’
