How I wish our PM thought of someone other than himself

From the text of the petition :

"Nazanin currently works as a project manager for the Thomson-Reuters Foundation; which delivers charitable projects around the world. It does not work in Iran."

It’s a dreadful situation for all concerned. Since Nazanin entered Iran, to visit her parents apparently, her British passport and citizenship was of no practical use to her. Iran only recognises her Iranian citizenship. Nazanin would have known this but clearly thought she was safe in the country of her birth. I believe the charges against her are false, but none of us really know the truth. People appear to think they know the truth, but they don’t. I don’t understand why a debt that should have been paid in the late seventies would suddenly be used against a woman in 2016. Maybe I’m naive. Iran have held other British citizens and others are being held now. I think it’s unlikely that Richard Radcliffe will not achieve anything by his hunger strike unfortunately.

the amount has been paid into the Court Funds Office and awaits a court judgement, as concerns were raised then and now about the use it would be put to by Iran.

If it is Iran's money, aren't they entitled to be repaid regardless of what they are going to do with the money?

If Nazanin is really being held hostage because of this money, that's barbaric.

Here's a link to the petition.

www.change.org/p/borisjohnson-free-nazanin-ratcliffe

Baggs

But this: "Thomson Reuters Corporation is a Canada-based multinational media conglomerate" from Wiki wouls appear to suggest that Nazanin did work in or relatred to journalism.

As others have said, I don't believe this is a simple problem even though it does look as if Boris put his foot in it.

Thompson Reuters provides many services other than journalism.

There were thousands and thousands of starfish washed up on the beach. A man was walking along throwing them back in. Another man stopped him and said “why are you bothering? There are so many it doesn’t make any difference” the first man replied “It does to this one”.

What a personal disaster this is in the lives of Richard and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and their families. I just can't imagine the agony he is going through.

I've signed and shared the petition on the basis that doing anything we can to keep this in the public eye is a good thing.

Baggs

25Avalon

There is a Change.org petition, free Nazanin Ratcliffe, calling on Boris Johnson to use his power and intervene. The petition has been going some time and has 3,684,833 signatories to date. If they can reach 4,500,000 it will be the highest ever on change org. PLEASE SIGN. I am about to.

What power?

Absolutely, we have no power over Iran. I feel for the other families whose loved ones are also incarcerated in Iran, also dual Nationals. Would think this has also has a lot to do with it
www.freshfields.us/insights/knowledge/briefing/2020/01/expanded-sanctions-on-iran-us-eu-and-uk-actions-4065/

Baggs I know what you mean but surely the more of us who sign the better. It puts pressure on. It shows Richard and Nazanine that we, the British people, support them. This government does u-turns. Signing is something we can all do. Stand up for JUSTICE.

I also remember reading some while back that there were talks about us possibly repaying the debt but we were still in the EU then and they intervened to stop it.

She faced new charges in 2017, of trying to topple the Iranian Government. Trumped up, no doubt, if they can’t find evidence, they will make it up.

25Avalon

There is a Change.org petition, free Nazanin Ratcliffe, calling on Boris Johnson to use his power and intervene. The petition has been going some time and has 3,684,833 signatories to date. If they can reach 4,500,000 it will be the highest ever on change org. PLEASE SIGN. I am about to.

What power?

But this: "Thomson Reuters Corporation is a Canada-based multinational media conglomerate" from Wiki wouls appear to suggest that Nazanin did work in or relatred to journalism.

As others have said, I don't believe this is a simple problem even though it does look as if Boris put his foot in it.

silverlining48

Perhaps if we discuss the millions we owe Iran might be a start

That is the point. The hunger strike is aimed at the government and its lack of focus on the real reason for her imprisonment. Johnson, personally, has a lot to answer for as his inability to understand his brief as foreign Secretary ensured the Iranians had ammunition for their charges.

There is a Change.org petition, free Nazanin Ratcliffe, calling on Boris Johnson to use his power and intervene. The petition has been going some time and has 3,684,833 signatories to date. If they can reach 4,500,000 it will be the highest ever on change org. PLEASE SIGN. I am about to.

MaizieD

Alegrias1

Of course the charges against her are false.

And she was already in custody when Johnson said she was a journalist.

From Wikipedia:

On 1 November 2017, the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said "When we look at what Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing, she was simply teaching people journalism, as I understand it, at the very limit."[71] These remarks appear to have put her at risk, prompting condemnation from Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn, who called for Johnson to be sacked.[72] A central part of Zaghari-Ratcliffe's defence was that she was there on a holiday and never worked to train journalists in the country.

Her employer, Thomson Reuters Foundation, called on Johnson to "immediately correct the serious mistake he made" in this statement. They added "She is not a journalist and has never trained journalists at the Thomson Reuters Foundation". Four days later, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was returned to court in Iran where the Foreign Secretary's statement was cited as evidence against her.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazanin_Zaghari-Ratcliffe

She's been in custody since 3rd April 2016.

Perhaps if Radcliffe promises a mega donation to the Tory party………..

JenniferEccles

Nazanin isn’t the only British national being held in Iran on a variety of charges but isn’t it a bit naive to believe that they would all be released if only the debt were paid?

In any case there must be a valid reason why it hasn’t been repaid.

The last time there was a deal to release her that was very close to agreement it failed because the US wanted to put conditions on it regarding Iran's nuclear programme (this was when Trump was President). So it looks as though the money 'could' do the trick.

Iranian citizens know full well that when they enter Iran their UK passport will not be recognised and they become reliant on their Iranian one. Many people do that and enter and leave Iran successfully although in some cases money changes hands to ease the process.
If the UK government was at all interested in helping this women they would be negotiating to pay the debt they owe and possibly tying into it the recognition of UK citizenship for Iranians living here.
The reason they won't is of course our reliance on the US and their attitude to Iran who have always been painted as the very worst of the countries in the Middle East. It's a very strange situation. Iran who provided some of the strongest opposition to Isis and fought against them is condemned, whilst Saudi Arabia which has funded terrorism and Isis, is courted and lauded. In the middle of this women like Nazanin suffer.

Alegrias1

Of course the charges against her are false.

And she was already in custody when Johnson said she was a journalist.

From Wikipedia:

On 1 November 2017, the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said "When we look at what Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing, she was simply teaching people journalism, as I understand it, at the very limit."[71] These remarks appear to have put her at risk, prompting condemnation from Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn, who called for Johnson to be sacked.[72] A central part of Zaghari-Ratcliffe's defence was that she was there on a holiday and never worked to train journalists in the country.

Her employer, Thomson Reuters Foundation, called on Johnson to "immediately correct the serious mistake he made" in this statement. They added "She is not a journalist and has never trained journalists at the Thomson Reuters Foundation". Four days later, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was returned to court in Iran where the Foreign Secretary's statement was cited as evidence against her.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazanin_Zaghari-Ratcliffe

She has dual nationality, Iran do not recognise that fact. There have also been reports that the money is not a factor. There are other dual Nationals in Iranian jails, under false judgements. all need to be released, no. You really believe if this money will be paid, that Iran will do as it’s asked. I certainly don’t. Perhaps Iraq, where the tanks were sent, should reimburse us and Iran.

Nazanin isn’t the only British national being held in Iran on a variety of charges but isn’t it a bit naive to believe that they would all be released if only the debt were paid?

In any case there must be a valid reason why it hasn’t been repaid.

Whitewavemark2

I am sorry, I clearly should have been clearer as to who the chap is, but I honestly thought everyone would know!

My goodness how quickly people forget!

Sorry but it’s not a case of forgettting the case at all, just not registering that it was Mr Radcliffe .

Of course the charges against her are false.

And she was already in custody when Johnson said she was a journalist.

She has dual citizenship with Britain and Iran. She went back to visit her parents in 2016 or round about then and wasn't allowed back being thrown in prison on trumped up charges. Every time she is released they find another reason to incarcerate her.

Richard’s protest is quite civilised in terms of other protests. He needs lots of publicity and the backing of everybody including our government. Maybe something is going on behind the scenes?

Smileless2012

I agree that money owed should be paid. That said if this poor woman's internment is blackmail, and IMO it is, then clearly the 'charges' against her are false.

I find it a bit hard to see it as blackmail when it is Iran's own money that the UK is withholding.