News of the arrest of three Australian and British citizens in Iran confirmed
The Australian Foreign Ministry has confirmed the arrest of two Australian and British women and a man by Iran. Australia has warned its citizens against traveling to Iran. Iran has accused the individuals of security reasons.
This is not the first time foreign nationals and dual nationals have been arrested in Iran. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the arrest of three Australian citizens. The announcement of these arrests is being made with a media delay.
The German news agency reported on Wednesday, September 11, the arrest of three Australian citizens. It is said that the arrested have been transferred to prison.
The Australian Foreign Ministry confirmed the arrest of the three people and announced that consular matters for the families of the two women and one man arrested have been addressed. The Australian Foreign Ministry did not provide further information to the media about the individuals arrested in Iran.
Warning about traveling to Iran
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs also warned its citizens against traveling to Iran. The statement issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the risks of traveling to Iran states:
"It threatens the arrest and imprisonment of foreign citizens, including Australian citizens, who travel to Iran."
According to news published by Australian media, the arrest of these two Australian citizens dates back ten weeks. The third person, who is a British citizen, was arrested and imprisoned about a year ago. This is while the news of their arrest is being reported to the media with a delay.
It is said that Australian Foreign Ministry officials have been monitoring the situation of these individuals in Iran during this period.
The Times newspaper published a report in this regard, writing that an Australian blogger and his Australian girlfriend were arrested and imprisoned in Iran ten weeks ago during their trip to Asia.
The same newspaper reported the arrest of a British citizen who was teaching at a university in Australia. The man was reportedly arrested about a year ago and sentenced to ten years in prison.
The Times newspaper continued its report by writing that this person is in solitary confinement, but his charges are unclear.
The British Foreign Office, the London Times newspaper, and the ABC television network have refused to reveal the names and identities of these individuals, only stating that they have been transferred to Evin Prison and are being held there.
The Associated Press report also mentions the arrest and detention of Nazanin Zaghari in Evin Prison. Iranian officials have claimed that the Australian citizen was arrested for entering a security zone.
Source: DW
