We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
A BRITISH-IRANIAN woman has been imprisoned for five years in Iran “on secret charges”, her husband says.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a 37-year-old charity worker who went to Iran for a holiday to visit family in March.
While at the airport on her way back to the UK on 3 April, she was detained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. She works for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the Reuters news agency.
Her daughter Gabriella, who is 22 months old, has British citizenship. Her passport was confiscated and she is stranded in Iran with her grandparents.
Richard Ratcliffe said that his wife is being treated like a political football. He told the BBC that his wife has been jailed “on secret charges”, and described the situation as punishment “without crime”.
He said that his wife asked a guard what the charges against her were, and she was told “national security charges”.
He has not yet seen his wife in person since her arrest.
Richard Ratcliffe said after his wife’s arrest:
It is hard to understand how a young mother and her small child on holiday could be considered an issue of national security. She has been to Iran to visit her family regularly since making Britain her home.
Speaking to BBC News this evening, Ratcliffe spoke of his “shock and horror and disbelief” over the fact his wife has been given a five-year prison sentence.
He said that “what’s going on I don’t know”.
“Being held in this way is just outrageous.”
He said the British embassy in Iran is doing what it can to deal with the situation.
He said Nazanin is no longer being interrogated and that she is able now to have family visits in the new prison. She is weak and her hair is falling out, he said.
“She’s embittered that she’s missed a quarter of her daughter’s life,” he said.
He set up a petition to call for Prime Minister Theresa May to use her power and intervene in the situation. So far, 804,519 people have signed the petition.
The UK appointed an ambassador to Iran yesterday – the first one since 2011.
Thomson Reuters Foundation CEO Monique Villa said she is “outraged” by the news.
This is a very serious condemnation that comes without any charges or evidence being made public. I have instructed the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s lawyers to find out what these charges are and I know that Nazanin’s family has asked the same of their lawyer in Iran.
She reiterated her “total support to Nazanin and her family in these terrible circumstances and I ask the Iranian authorities to release her as soon as possible”.
I am convinced of her innocence and reiterate that she had no dealings with Iran whatsoever in her professional capacity at the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The Foundation does not operate in Iran directly or indirectly.
We continue to work very closely with Richard, the UK Foreign Office and the British authorities to find a resolution to this terrible situation.
Emily Thornberry MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, described it as “no longer good enough for Downing Street and the Foreign Office to ‘raise concerns’ about this case”, adding “it is time for them to demand answers”.
In the same week that we have restored a UK ambassador to Iran, it beggars belief that a British citizen should be jailed for five years without any statement of the charge against her, and it is grotesque that a young mother should be removed from her baby to serve as a pawn in prisoner swaps.
The Iranian government needs to drop this case and return Nazanin to her family here in Britain, and her own government needs to demand that action now.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
It’s one thing charging a foreigner with a specific crime and trying them under your justice system, but not even disclosing what she’s being charged with is a despicable miscarriage of justice.
sounds just like Israel;
‘Since 1967, Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have been living under Israeli military law and prosecuted in military courts.
In the West Bank, there are two separate legal systems operating in the same territory. The sole factor in determining which laws apply to a person is his or her nationality and ethnicity.
Israeli military law, which fails to ensure and denies basic and fundamental rights, is applied to the whole Palestinian population. Israeli settlers living in the West Bank are subject to the Israeli civilian and criminal legal system.
Israel is the only country in the world that automatically prosecutes children in military courts that lack basic and fundamental fair trial guarantees. Since 2000, at least 8,000 Palestinian children have been arrested and prosecuted in an Israeli military detention system notorious for the systematic ill-treatment and torture of Palestinian children.
Around 500-700 Palestinian children are arrested, detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system each year.’
Tariq so it’s fully justified in your opinion to detain this woman in this manner because Israel behaves in such a manner. Wow that’s stretch. I wouldn’t mind this woman is an Iranian.
He’s just trying to distract from wrongdoing by an Islamic state by pointing out that non-muslims states do bad things do. It’s an appeal to cultural relativism.
According to Tariq and his brand of Islam, the Shia are not Muslims, a top Saudi Wahhabi Cleric states this.. Saudi Arabia’s top cleric says Iranians are ‘not Muslims’ – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37287434
Mjhint, I’m not sure if you were attending one of those English language colleges which shut down recently and never got to complete your course. I’m not sure your English reading comprehension is very competent just yet. If you check the term ‘sounds like’, you may not be so confused afterwards, good luck in your studies!
What brand of Islam is atheist Jan?
Jan, sure, but presumably for external consumption playing down the barbarism of Shia states is part of the job.
Kuwait, Saudi expel thousands of ‘Palestinians’ – Palestinians have experienced no less traumatic ordeals than at the hands of their Arab brothers. As early as the mid-1950s, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Libya expelled striking Palestinian workers. In 1970, Jordan expelled some 20,000 Palestinians and demolished their camps; in 1994-95, Libya expelled tens of thousands of long-term Palestinian residents in response to the Oslo process; and after the 2003 Iraq war, some 21,000 Palestinians fled the country in response to a systematic terror and persecution campaign. As recently as 2007, Beirut effectively displaced 31,400 Palestinian refugees when the Lebanese army destroyed the Nahr el Bared refugee camp during fighting between the militant Fatal al-Islam group and the Lebanese army. Sanctions should be brought upon your beloved Arab oppressors, should they not Tariq / Petr?
Tariq because of your own deluded religious ideology your heads all messed up. I guess it’s all the fairy stories of winged horses & revelations from a man that was as primitive as person from the part of the middle east where tribalism is killing more than it ever has. Your “sounds like” was you implying that it was justified. You’re translation of English from Arabic is as clumsy as every other version.
@Malachie@Tariq
Just like the 12,000 Palestinians held without trial in Syria inc. 765 children 543 women who often had to lie aside the bodies of the 503 who have been beaten to death or who have already died of maltreatment by guards.
-
khaled Abu Tomeah wries from Palestine in Gatestone
—”Nor is the alarm bell struck concerning the more than 12,000 Palestinians languishing in Syrian prisons, including 765 children and 543 women. According to Palestinian sources, some 503 Palestinian prisoners have died under torture in recent years, and some female prisoners have been raped by interrogators and guards.
When Western journalists lavish time on Palestinians delayed at Israeli checkpoints, and ignore bombs dropped by the Syrian military on residential areas, one might start to wonder they are really about.—-”
—-”’https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/8821/palestinians-syria
* Your translation @ Mjhint, lol! Point proven.
To me it’s pretty clear she is a political prisoner, according to what’s reported here and what was reported before.
Jesus Tariq Egan you’ve never been able to make a valid point in the many months you’ve been Koran banging on here. Where has the Team Tariq account gone? Why are you still pretending to be a muslim from Bradford? You freak. Lols
Tariq if Palestinians are so oppressed all 2 million of them
Then why don’t they all flee to Egypt or Greece or Germany
Why is the Irish navy not picking them up in hundreds as they try to flee the oppression in little boats
You should visit the Zionist state sometime
Dain , he’s now claiming he’s an atheist ! Hilarious
The US is trying to get some autistic guy sent over for “hacking” without even providing evidence of their allegations
Suz babe, when are we gonna hook up?
So Patrick with your French flag , do you support the French military Air strike on Syria, whom also murder innocent mothers and children in their beds, that also gets no media attention in the Western world ?, I wonder how many innocent Syrian civilians did the French murder so far or is this ok to you because they are the French doing it ? The answer is never war
Atheist are you now..you previously stated that you are a Muslim from Bradford..hmmm it seems you like to tell a few tales, saying that,how can anyone take your comments and posts on any subject seriously…the mask has slipped further.
One of the most bizarre articles I’ve read..from what I understand she in prison for what…taking a holiday..
Its not bizarre behaviour in Iran. They do that kind of thing, it’s just usually locals so it doesn’t get in the news here.
When you get arrested you have to be read your rights and told what you are being charged with — secret charges what the fcuk is that all about, was she put in a secret prison with secret guards?
“was she put in a secret prison with secret guards?”
That’s a secret.
Random, it’s Iran, an Islamic theocracy governed under sharia law. Seriously, European legal norms are not universal.
Just because that’s what happens here doesn’t mean it’s standard procedure in Iran.
Disgraceful treatment of this lady. Unsurprisingly, the usual Islamist apologists cannot bring themselves to condemn this, deciding instead to throw that Egyptian headbanging and Israel into the mix. Deflectors to full!
Iran is a country, not the entirety of Islam. I think most people would agree that Iran & especially Saudi Arabia have pretty awful regimes. “Islam” isn’t to blame for this anymore than Christianity is for American imperialism.
Christianity didn’t motivate american ‘imperialism’, while the regimes in both Iran and Saudi Arabia are based on religious law.
Their respective governments are made up of theocrats who think the Quran should be the basis of society. Not a great comparison, to be honest. Islam is a vital component in controlling the populace for those regimes.
Malachi, American imperialism sprang from the white settlers who were for the most part Christian in either the Puritan tradition or the RC one. Are you saying those Christian values had no impact on the evolution of the modern America? There are many even today who proclaim loudly that the Bible should be the basis of law in the US. Don’t people still swear on the Bible in court? Aren’t religious arguments used to deny rights to homosexual people? In the eastern countries the religious influence is “in your face” and yes it is a means of social control, but perhaps our religious influences are so ingrained we haven’t the objectivity to recognise them?
By American ‘imperialism’, I’m sure Leighanna is referring to the US’ actions in the middle east more than anywhere else. None of those foreign policy decisions were motivated directly or indirectly by Christian ideology in any way I can think of.
“Christian values” is a pretty nebulous term, but even if these did play a part in US foreign policy that doesn’t necessitate religious motivation – most secularists/atheists/etc. subscribe to many ‘Christian values’ without realising it.
It’s true that in the US religion is used to disgusting ends. However, I’d need actual evidence to suggest that when the generals were in the situation room, they took a few passages from their Bible and used it to justify invading a country. Thing is, you’ll find that in the Islamic world but not in the Christian world very often.
Malachi, yes it is indeed nebulous, as values are not exclusive to anyone group. But whether or not the bible was explicitly referenced in a decision to wage war, those making the decision may well have been influenced by values stemming from a Christian upbringing. Such as, “we have the truth and that over there don’t.”
Something wonderful about this girl I can actually see her hair without going into instant rape mode?, well thats what I’m suppose to do when I see a womens hair?
Not let’s see how the brits treat their citizens unlike our beloved politicians.
Free Ibrahim.
It’s a disgrace how Dubliner Ibrahim Halawa has been treated by the Irish government and their lack of action. We need to bring this young Irishman home asap, sort it out Kenny! #FreeIbrahim
That Egyptian lad is on video, one on stage fermenting a rebellion and the other asking to be a martyr from inside a mosque….different circumstances to this lady.
Hear Hear.
I have a feeling you can’t link me to this alleged video.
“fermenting a rebellion”
Is Rebellion a craft beer or something? I didn’t know the lad was a brewer.
He is an Egyptian citizen also, his family and in particular his father have strong ties to the terrorist organization, The Muslim Brotherhood. Why has his father not spoken up as yet, why has he not attempted to go to Egypt to see his son? ..he sits comfortably in the land of the Kuffar, while his son rots in prison. After all he was sent to do his father’s bidding.
So Petr…he will fight to the last bullet……..anything else?
Thanks! The first video is not clear enough to tell if it’s him. Either way, it was a protest against a coup. The elected President had just been deposed and arrested after less than a year into his term of office. They were right to be protesting!
The second video I think shows Ibrahim in a very good light. He is saying that he wants the kind of society he is used to in Ireland in Egypt and is prepared to put his neck on the line for it; against police and army who were simply shooting and killing unarmed people on the street: Bloody Sunday x 10,000.
He is a million times the man of some anonyMOUSE on the Journal who lacks the balls even to post under his own name.
LOL Petr….remember their story…they were only on holiday and visiting family and while out shopping got caught up in the crowds and took shelter in the mosque.
Here’s a normal holiday snap that everyone takes while on holiday… http://markhumphrys.com/Facebook/4.jpg
Sorry Al Ca, what are we supposed to be seeing that’s so bizarre in that photo?
Mark Humprhys is a vile Zionist Islamophobe and a wannabe journalist reject who has to post to his poorly designed ‘blog’ so anything he posts is irrelevant.
Even if he did rip up his Irish passport his citizenship still remained. He is a citizen of Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish government should do all they can to help Irish citizens in these situations that request so irrespective of their beliefs, colour, sexuality etc. Doing so those not condone their beliefs or that of their family which should be challenged and rightly so.
Bryan, if the Save Ibrahim protesters actually engaged in any effective challenging of his and his father’s views, or those of the IS fighters and supporters living in Ireland, then they might be taken a little more seriously. Saying ‘that should be challenged’ doesn’t count you know…
Bryan , they are helping him .. he’s got more help , support and attention than any other person that got into trouble abroad and lets not forget he’s also in his own country too ..
I agree with you Marlo and I know stating that ”should be challenged” is meaningless. My point was that there are other more appropriate fora where those views should be challenged.
Suzie I am assuming from your comment he has dual citizenship. Many people do, previous Irish governments have aided British nationals with dual citizenship and even where they just fulfilled the criteria for same.
Tariq, And yet, here you are trolling a journal thread with multiple accounts, I would think it is you who is irrelevant.
Tariq……those are his sisters who claimed they had nothing to do with MB and were just on holiday……even though their father is a wanted man in Egypt.
Their father Sheikh Hussien Halawa said his children are not as important as the ‘freedom’ of millions(under Sharia)….easy for him to say as he sits in his house…safe.
https://www.facebook.com/ISAC.Ireland/posts/717542738265880
@Suzie Sunshine
Most certainly far more than Irish Citizen Homa Hoodfar who is in detention in Iran on trumped-up charges though she is seriously ill and has had no consular support as yet. Story Sept 9 on the journal.
Her niece said that Hoodfar is being accused of being “a key player in trying to impose western feminism in Iran”.
Patrick, Hoodfar was born in Iran, and has dual Canadian citizenship, she’s never even been to Ireland. Hasbara Troll.
Tariq surly condemning Mark Humpreys is the pot calling the kettle black
You are perhaps a little biased yourself
@Tariq ibn Zihad
”She became an Irish citizen through marriage to an Irish man and her family have said she has a “deep bond” with the Irish community in the UK.”’———-And she’s a good woman unlike your traitor pal Halawa………..
Bryan , he does indeed ..
Patrick , agreed ..
Patrick O’Rubbish — You are racist pond life.
Petr, you do realise that Morsi was deposed less than a year in because he was dismantling the Egyptian constitution in order to make himself a dictator like Mubarak before him?
Or is that bit left out of the narrative? The Muslim Brotherhood exploited legitimate grievances about Mubarak’s regime but Morsi ended up becoming a quasi dictator anyway.
Why is it that you didn’t support a revolution against such an authoritarian?
@Petr Tarasov
Squeals the limp-wristed slouch from his couch!
I didn’t support it because it wasn’t a revolution, it was a coup. And now your buddy Sisi is in place and he is worse than twenty Mubaraks. If you supported this madness you’re an idiot
I don’t support Sisi. Not a hope. However that wasn’t the point.
A coup to overthrow a wannabe dictator (Morsi) wasn’t a bad thing and I’m not sure why you’re implying it was.
The Egyptian people have been plagued with a string of vindictive authoritarians, the MB’s Morsi was just another one on the list. Seeing him overthrown was hardly a loss for humanity, was it?
Oh dear. For anyone who isn’t aware, Petr Tarasov and Tariq are the same person. Real name Liam Egan, a Muslim fundamentalist convert from Wexford. The real deal, silly beard and everything. Look him up, he’s good value. He comes on here all the time espousing his pro-Muslim views and getting all nasty and aggressive with anyone who disagrees with him, calling them ‘pond life’ and so forth. He has also taken to calling people who disagree with him ‘Liam’, which I think is just a fiendishly clever way (as he no doubt sees it) of confusing people. So, yeah. Don’t get wound up by him, he’s not the type to be taken too seriously.
Brave women standing up to the oppressive regime in Iran, more power to them. Iranians are wonderful people, they don’t deserve the rule of the Ayatollah and all the repression that involves.
This woman wasn’t standing up to anything, she was just visiting her family. Iranians are normal people, some good, some bad, like everywhere else. Not all wonderful. And the reality is that many Iranians supported and continue to support the Islamic revolution while others, particularly leftists, failed to act to prevent it. That’s how a violent intolerant minority gains control. The Ayatollahs didn’t appear out of thin air.
Iranians didn’t vote for the Ayatollah. Your swipe at “leftists” is telling, given the persecution such liberals have endured.
Where did I say they voted for the Ayatollah? And you do realize there is more to the Iranian regime than one person right. That was not a swipe, it’s a straightforward accusation, one that has been made many times before and one that many leftists who escaped the revolution would agree with. They underestimated the Islamists, those who survived are well aware of that. They have my sympathy, it’s simply not an unlimited sympathy.
Tariq. Educate yourself. Maybe Milo can do it for you… Alt right explained.. https://youtu.be/Lgl53EXInPc
She’s Iranian so she was in her own country visiting her parents, Tariq
The liberal minded have been forced to flee, or else keep quiet.
@ Suzie What part of “British woman” does your pea-size brain not understand?
in fairness we don’t know WHAT the charges are so as much as I love an opportunity to bop an Islamophobe I’m not sure victim blaming this woman’s a good idea either.
Tariq, are some true colours are beginning to show. ‘This woman … should have stayed in England’. So it not really a problem for you as its only a woman? I suppose she and the Canadian lady don’t deserve your outraged support because they’re only women, they are connect to western organisations, they are not fighting for the glory of Islam, they should remember their place and stay out of men’s affairs. What significance are they when compared to the sufferings of men in the Muslim Brotherhood.
Prouesse did you also miss the part where it says ” Iranian ” too ?
are you actually trying to deny her british citizenship? You were speaking of being hilarious. You are not bad at being hilarious.
Prouesse just go away. You are insufferable.
Prousse , where have I denied that her British citizenship ? Did you miss the part where I said she was Iranian TOO ..she is British Iranian ..
Rebecca… Ta gueule!
@suzie
You don’t even know what you are saying… It’s sad.
have your say