BRITAIN has been urged to raise the case of a Brit mum jailed in Iran at the United Nations to help secure her release, her husband has said.
Richard Ratcliffe wants diplomats to discuss his wife Nazanin’s detention as she marks three years detention this week.
PA:Press Association
The move could happen after Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt gave Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe diplomatic protection.
Richard last night said: “Ultimately, the UK can put the case of Nazanin and other imprisoned westerners to Iran to the United Nations in New York.
“The government have made this an official dispute between the two countries. The UN meeting is one of the first things we want them to do if they decide to escalate.”
“It has signalled it could take follow up measures, which it hasn’t done just yet. We are waiting to see Iran’s response to the diplomatic protection matter.”
Friends and family will mark mother’s day by placing 155 bunches of flowers – one for each week in prison – outside the Iranian Embassy in London.
I don’t think we have much more time in terms of her well-being and taking matters in her own hands
Richard Ratcliffe
The third anniversary of Nazanin’s detention, which falls on Wednesday, will again see messages of support hung on a tree close to the family home in north London.
Richard added: “This has become quite important for me psychologically to do every year. This whole process has gone on for far too long and it’s time Nazanin came home.
“She is very up and down. I don’t think we have much more time in terms of her well-being and taking matters in her own hands.
“She has done one hunger strike – I don’t want her to do a more severe one. Jeremy Hunt has been clear, saying that ‘It’s unacceptable to hold people in this way’.”
Nazanin was allowed to see her daughter Gabriella for 90 minutes this week for an extended visit due to the country’s New Year celebrations. Their daughter is being brought up her grandparents in the country.
He said: “She saw Nazanin on Wednesday for an extended visit for about 90 minutes.”
Richard is now allowed to speak to his wife three times a week after her diplomatic protection was granted.
Charity worker Nazanin is serving a prison sentence in Tehran over espionage claims.
She was arrested in 2016 at the city’s airport while she was visiting her family. She was sentenced to five years in prison accused of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government.
PA:Press Association/PA Images
