Britain ‘Warned’ Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s Family Against Speaking Out About Potential Release
Richard Ratcliffe, husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual-nationality citizen detained in Iran, said the British government has warned him and the family of Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe that public statements could jeopardize her chances of release in mid-Esfand (early March).
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was detained in April 2016 while leaving Iran on spying charges and spent several years in prison. She is currently under house arrest.
Richard Ratcliffe wrote on Twitter on Sunday, February 1: “This week the British Foreign Office warned us that public comments about the date of Nazanin’s release could be dangerous for her and her family.”
He added that he and Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s family believe “transparency is the best way to protect her from harassment and pressure.”
The British Foreign Office said on Monday, February 2, to the French News Agency that it is in constant contact with Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family to provide assistance and support.
The British Foreign Office spokesperson added: “We do not accept the detention of British citizens by Iran as a diplomatic tool. We are taking all necessary measures for the release of British-Iranian citizens.”
According to Richard Ratcliffe, if the Iranian government does not find another reason or pretext to extend Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s detention, she should be released on March 7 (17 Esfand).
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was an employee of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charity arm of a news organization. She has rejected all charges, but Iranian courts sentenced her to five years in prison on espionage charges. Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe has spent more than four years in prison or under house arrest.
Dominic Raab, British Foreign Secretary, said on January 17 that according to the existing order, Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release date is March 7 (17 Esfand), but the Iranian government has repeatedly dashed hopes for her release after delaying the trial related to the latest charge in November.
Mr. Raab added: “We are taking all necessary measures to secure Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release before that date and as soon as possible.”
Richard Ratcliffe further stated in another part of his tweet: “Britain should always remind Iran that Nazanin has the support of this country’s government. The British government should not act as a messenger for the oppressive methods of the Revolutionary Guards.”
“If anything happens to Nazanin and her family, and if she is not released on March 7, the British government must respond proportionately. We will discuss with the Foreign Secretary the plan in case such incidents occur.”
The British newspaper The Guardian reported on Monday, February 2, that Richard Ratcliffe, in a letter to the British Foreign Office, accused the institution of “bad policy.”
Jeremy Hunt, former British Foreign Secretary, wrote on Twitter on Monday: “This situation is very concerning. I know Dominic Raab and Boris Johnson are doing everything they can, but Nazanin’s voice must never be silenced.”
The Iranian government in recent years has arrested and tried a large number of dual-nationality citizens and foreign nationals on various charges, including espionage and attempts to overthrow the government.
Critics and Western governments say these charges are baseless and that Iran’s aim is to pressure Western governments and gain diplomatic and economic concessions in exchange for the release of these individuals.
Source: Radio Farda
