Iran judges may double British mum’s jail term

IRANIAN judges are to review the case against jailed British mother nazanin Zaghariratcliffe, they said yesterday.

But her husband richard said he feared they may increase her sentence rather than free her.

He said he believed the review relates to a second case brought against Mrs Zaghari- ratcliffe – who was arrested for ‘spying’ in 2016 – in the wake of a gaffe by Boris Johnson. The then foreign secretary said in 2017 that the charity worker had been a journalist in Iran – a claim her family denied.

The Iranians used the statement to bring a new case against her which could double her five-year sentence, of which she has served three years.

Mr ratcliffe said yesterday’s announcement was a ‘warning shot’.

Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt ratcheted up tensions last month when he extended diplomatic protection to Mrs Zaghari-ratcliffe, 40.

Mr ratcliffe said: ‘reopening the second court case would be a real slap in the face for diplomatic protection. The uK would need to respond for its protection to be credible.’