Nazanin Zaghari’s Family Expresses Hope for Her Imminent Release
Nazanin Zaghari’s husband says he is increasingly hopeful about the release of this British-Iranian citizen. He stated that Zaghari’s lawyer informed him in prison that the process of her potential release has begun.
Richard Ratcliffe said on Thursday, December 30, that Nazanin’s lawyer met with him in prison yesterday and told him that her case, which had previously been closed, is now accessible and she may be released before her scheduled date.
Mr. Ratcliffe said she meets the conditions for “early release.” According to Iranian law, early release can occur following a pardon or conditional release by judicial authorities.
Mr. Ratcliffe stated: Her lawyer was very excited after hearing this news and told Nazanin that as soon as the necessary paperwork is completed, she will be released. This process may take another two weeks, but it seems her release is very likely.
Ms. Zaghari is an employee of the Thomson Reuters Foundation who was detained at Tehran airport in April 2016 while returning to Britain with her young daughter after spending holidays and visiting her family.
Nazanin Zaghari was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of soft overthrow. It appeared she would have been eligible for early release in late 2017 and early 2018.
Her husband said on Thursday: Nazanin’s family is very happy to hear this news and we hope this nightmare will end in the coming days. Iranian authorities have not confirmed her imminent release, but the deputy prosecutor of Tehran who visited Nazanin in prison asked her what she needed besides release from prison, and Nazanin replied that she had no wish other than release from prison.
Mr. Ratcliffe reported that Mohammad Javad Zarif met with Tehran’s prosecutor general last week regarding Nazanin’s case.
It appears that increased efforts in Iran for Zaghari’s release came after British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s visit. However, some Friday prayer leaders like Alam al-Hoda criticized his visit for the release of a “dirty traitor spy.”
Source: Voice of America
