Arrest of Jolie King and Mark Firkin
The Arrest of Jolie King and Mark Firkin happened in July 2019, in Iran. The couple from Perth, Mark Firkin and Jolie King, are travel bloggers that travel across the world documenting their experiences on social media. In July 2019, King and Firkin were in their LandCruiser when they were arrested at gunpoint for flying a drone near military installations in Tehran province. The couple were charged with espionage, which carries a maximum penalty of death in Iran. The couple were denied access to lawyers or to Australian consular officers who tried to  speak with them. On 12 September 2019, Senator Marise Payne announced that she brought up the issue with the Iranian government at a recent meeting in Bangladesh. She stated that negotiations for their release were still ongoing. The couple were held in Tehran’s Evin prison. On 5 October 2019, all charges against King and Firkin had been dropped. The couple were released from detention and expressed gratitude to the Australian government for its involvement. According to Payne, King and Firkin were in good health and spirits and had asked for privacy. Arrest of Jolie King and Mark Firkin The