Aussies still in cossies
prison on March 17 to cut exposure risk amid the pandemic and is now at her parents’ home in Tehran. She has an ankle tag and must stay in a 300metre radius.
When Nazanin was in Evin, she would have a couple of eightminute phone calls a week with Gabriella.
Richard said: “Now on lockdown and with Nazanin at her parents’, we can Facetime whenever we like, which Gabriella enjoys and is easier for her. She is only five so not great at conversation with grown ups but she can show her things in her room and we can all speak every day.”
Richard has fresh hope now after British-iranian Kamal Foroughi, 80, returned home this week. He was arrested by Iranian security in 2011 and charged with spying for MI6.
But Nazanin’s case may also get an unexpected boost from the coronavirus crisis. Richard said: “Slowly it seems Western prisoners are coming home. Things feel different and we really hope she will be home soon.
“There is a feeling things are moving in the right direction. This virus changed everything. Not only temporary releases as prisons are rife with the virus but a climate of positivity and humanity between Governments.
“We are cautiously optimistic, although Nazanin veers between happy and anxious at the thought of going back [to jail]. I think both governments know she can’t cope with that.”
SELFISH Aussies swarmed all over their beaches yesterday, ignoring new lockdown and social-distancing rules.
Manly Beach in Sydney was rammed in the 22C heat, with mates meeting to catch some rays and drink coffee.
Schoolboy Reid Shaw, 13, out exercising with his dad, said: “There’s no difference, it feels the same.”
The area around Manly Beach has become a hotspot for coronavirus, with more than 100 cases. Around 30 people have died in Australia so far. Rules state people should keep 1.5m away, with gatherings of more than two banned.
Bondi Beach was closed last month after hundreds also ignored warnings.