British Couple detained in Iran

www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/16/uk-must-act-more-promptly-over-latest-iran-detentions-says-richard-ratcliffe

I suppose lots will think he's as daft as me for having sympathy for them. I seem to recall that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe travelled to Iran when government advice was against it. That didn't stop us being outraged at her detention and cruel treatment and yet some are indifferent at best to the possibility of this couple receiving the same.

Of course they have been incredibly stupid - what on earth were they thinking!! However…............ Unlike many others I do have sympathy,
how can anyone not !? Where is the compassion, the humanity ? Am I alone in my view?

Did you miss my posts?

rafichagran

I would also say it is not gleeful to express a opinion, you expressed yours and I think you ate wrong.

Read some of the posts on here. Some are downright nasty and yes some seem quite gleeful about what this couple are going through. Don't worry about the FO, they won't do much.

Rosie51

www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/16/uk-must-act-more-promptly-over-latest-iran-detentions-says-richard-ratcliffe

I suppose lots will think he's as daft as me for having sympathy for them. I seem to recall that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe travelled to Iran when government advice was against it. That didn't stop us being outraged at her detention and cruel treatment and yet some are indifferent at best to the possibility of this couple receiving the same.

Remember the way Johnson added to her problems. I think he was more stupid than she was.

Shelflife

Of course they have been incredibly stupid - what on earth were they thinking!! However…............ Unlike many others I do have sympathy,
how can anyone not !? Where is the compassion, the humanity ? Am I alone in my view?

Dad isn't it when people are so uncaring.

I am usually a very empathic person but I cannot stand people who think they know best and are conceited enough to think rules are for everyone else but not for them
No afraid I have no compassion at all for them I ll keep my compassion for people who deserve it The women who have to live in a mysogenist country who aren’t allowed to go to school or drive a car or go out alone they the ones I have compassion for not arrogant rule breakers

I agree BlueBelle.

BlueBelle not arrogant rule breakers are they rules or guidance?
Compassion isn't like pie, it's possible to have enough for everyone. Even stupid people. I'm glad I'm in the same group as Richard Ratcliffe.

Yes Rosie I did - Apologies.

Some posts here begger belief - I despair.

Arrogant rule breaker - I agree, but never the less there is no need to stoop so low.

As others have said, they deliberately and wilfully ignored FO advice to further their own selfish aims, that behaviour has consequences.
They are infuriating in their arrogance, hopefully others will learn from this outcome

Rosie51

www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/16/uk-must-act-more-promptly-over-latest-iran-detentions-says-richard-ratcliffe

I suppose lots will think he's as daft as me for having sympathy for them. I seem to recall that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe travelled to Iran when government advice was against it. That didn't stop us being outraged at her detention and cruel treatment and yet some are indifferent at best to the possibility of this couple receiving the same.

Nazanin went to visit family and take her daughter to meet her grandparents.

This couple just wanted to travel so were foolish in the extreme.
Of course the Foreign Office should try to secure their release but why on earth did they go there against all official advice?

Of course they've been stupid, reckless even but while it's only advice people are free to ignore it. I still don't think that should exclude them from sympathy although obviously nobody is compelled to share my view. Richard Radcliffe agrees with me, I count myself in good company.

Doodledog

Smileless2012

Just by going there Doodledog which is why the FO tells people they shouldn't.

Thanks.

It’s not uncommon to take out high interest mortgages or loans to buy rental properties thinking of it as a retirement fund.

Kamiso

Doodledog

Smileless2012

Just by going there Doodledog which is why the FO tells people they shouldn't.

Thanks.

It’s not uncommon to take out high interest mortgages or loans to buy rental properties thinking of it as a retirement fund.

I must be really thick but I don't understand the relevance.........

Nor me, Rosie.

I think it's the wrong thread 😃

Maybe it's about financial risks?

But financial risks are not comparable with the risk of arrest in pursuit of fun

Allira

I think it's the wrong thread 😃

Someone said something about them having several buy to let's and that's probably how they can afford to go travelling. I think the post about borrowing to buy properties for retirement was suggesting they might not have much equity or income from the houses as they could just be making enough to cover the mortgage.

karmalady

entitled and as thick as two short planks

no doubt they will be held for a ransom

And their family and friends will have the nerve to set up a Just Giving page expecting others to pay for their stupidness.

Sarnia

karmalady

entitled and as thick as two short planks

no doubt they will be held for a ransom

And their family and friends will have the nerve to set up a Just Giving page expecting others to pay for their stupidness.

And if they do nobody will be compelled to donate, exactly the same as any other 'begging bowl'.

theworriedwell

Rosie51

www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/16/uk-must-act-more-promptly-over-latest-iran-detentions-says-richard-ratcliffe

I suppose lots will think he's as daft as me for having sympathy for them. I seem to recall that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe travelled to Iran when government advice was against it. That didn't stop us being outraged at her detention and cruel treatment and yet some are indifferent at best to the possibility of this couple receiving the same.

Remember the way Johnson added to her problems. I think he was more stupid than she was.

Nazanin went to visit her family. It's a lot different from being told by the FO not travel to or through this country when you have no reason to be there.

And yet her husband has sympathy for this couple. I haven't blamed Nazanin although she had been advised against returning to Iran, but decided to go anyway.