New hope for jailed Nazanin

Briton in Iran spy row gets diplomatic status

A British-iranian mother has been given diplomatic protection after being jailed in iran for three years on false spy charges.

the move by Foreign secretary Jeremy hunt means the UK can raise the case of Nazanin Zaghari-ratcliffe at the UN.

iran does not recognise dual nationals and so regards the charity worker as an iranian citizen the UK has no claim over.

however, diplomatic protection means iran will be forced to meet its obligations to her under international law. it is the first time the UK has used the diplomatic tool – one of the strongest available – in recent memory.

Mrs Zaghari-ratcliffe, who works for the thomson reuters Foundation, was arrested by members of the revolutionary Guard at tehran’s imam Khomeini airport in April 2016 as she and 22-month-old daughter Gabriella were due to board a flight back to London.

she was sentenced to five years in jail for plotting to topple the iranian government, allegations she denies. Smiles: Nazanin during a temporary release from jail with daughter Gabriella, now four Last night her husband bumpy, but they shouldn’t be richard ratcliffe said he was too surprised. You can’t use pleased she had been given innocent people in this way.’ diplomatic protection. Mr ratcliffe said he hoped

he said: ‘i think the Foreign it would allow British diplomats secretary’s decision is a to visit Mrs Zaghari-ratcliffe good thing for Nazanin – for the first time something for which we have and that she will receive been lobbying for a while medical attention. and i am glad he has decided it comes after she went on that it is now time. hunger strike earlier this

‘We’re expecting the reaction year to demand access to in iran might be a bit doctors. Mr hunt said his decision was ‘extremely unusual’ but sent a signal to tehran that its behaviour was ‘totally wrong’.

he added: ‘it demonstrates to the whole world that Nazanin is innocent and the UK will not stand by when one of its citizens is treated so unjustly.’

though largely symbolic, the declaration represents a significant diplomatic escalation, and the UK hopes other countries will back its stance.

it is a formal recognition her treatment has failed to meet iran’s obligations under international law and means the case can be taken to the UN and brought before the international Court of Justice.

the decision could also potentially open the door for the UK to take legal action.

the iranian regime will now face increasing international pressure as it upgrades the issue from a consulate issue to a state-on-state issue.

Mr ratcliffe has called for the Government to introduce the measure and it has been under discussion for several months.