Latest news with #NazaninZaghari-Ratcliffe
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
British couple detained in Iran while on motorcycle journey around the world
A British couple have reportedly been detained Iran during their motorcycle journey around the world. Craig and Lindsay Foreman were reportedly held in January but the country's state-run media revealed this week they had been accused of security-related offences. In an Instagram post, Mrs Foreman had acknowledged that travelling to Iran, against Foreign Office advice, was 'slightly scary' but adding: 'Yes, we're aware of the risks. But we also know the rewards of meeting incredible people, hearing their stories, and seeing the breathtaking landscapes of these regions could far outweigh the fear.' The couple were ultimately heading for Australia, having crossed into Iran from Armenia on December 30, according to social media posts. Mrs Foreman was said to be carrying out a research project as part of the journey, asking people what constitutes a 'good life'. The latest post on Mr Foreman's Facebook page, from Isfahan in Iran, also on January 3, displays a number of selfies apparently showing the couple, along with the caption: 'What a wonderful place'. And now the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has said the Government must act 'more promptly' than it did to help free his wife when she was detained in 2016. Richard Ratcliffe said the dangers of travelling to the Middle Eastern country would be 'a lot clearer' if Foreign Office travel advice reflected 'the risks of hostage-taking' there. Mr Ratcliffe, who went on hunger strike twice as part of his campaign for his wife's release, said a court process may soon come 'to get the Government's attention'. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested on April 3 2016 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard at Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran after a holiday visit. She was ultimately released and returned to the UK six years later after the UK agreed to settle a historic £400 million debt dating to the 1970s. Mr Ratcliffe told the PA news Agency: 'My heart goes out to them, and I hope they are not in for a long ordeal, and that the Government is able to respond more promptly than it did in our case. 'I do think the risks would be a lot clearer to people if the UK travel advice to Iran talked about the risks of hostage-taking. People would be more alert to the fact that it is not personal, and it doesn't matter whether you have travelled there with a good heart. 'The top priority for the Government should be to make sure they get to visit and that they are not being kept in solitary. It will be important they do not feel alone. A court process may soon come. It's not a real court. But it will be a form of brutal theatre to get the Government's attention. And it will hurt much the same. I really hope they will be ok.' The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran. 'Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you,' the guidance says. A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are providing consular assistance to two British nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities.'
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
British ambassador to Iran meets two Britons detained on security-related charges
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The British ambassador to Iran met with two Britons — a man and a woman — being held in Iran on security-related charges, the official IRNA news agency reported. The report late Wednesday said Ambassador Hugo Shorter met the two in the southern Iranian city of Kerman and in the presence of officials from the justice department and the governor's office. The report neither identifies them nor elaborates on the time or place of their detention, though it calls them 'suspects," suggesting they have not been sentenced and were possibly detained in recent weeks. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. IRNA published two images that showed the two sitting opposite the ambassador at a meeting table. 'We are providing consular assistance to two British Nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities," a spokesperson of the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, or FCDO, said in a statement to The Associated Press. The statement added that the FCDO has long advised against travel to Iran for British and British-Iranian nationals, who face significant risk of detention. Iran has a history of detaining and releasing western nationals on security charges. The country has long been accused of holding those with Western ties as prisoners to be used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West. Iran denies those accusations. In 2022, Iran released British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe after more than five years. She had been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran's government, a charge that she, her supporters and rights groups denied.
Associated Press
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
British ambassador to Iran meets two Britons detained on security-related charges
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The British ambassador to Iran met with two Britons — a man and a woman — being held in Iran on security-related charges, the official IRNA news agency reported. The report late Wednesday said Ambassador Hugo Shorter met the two in the southern Iranian city of Kerman and in the presence of officials from the justice department and the governor's office. The report neither identifies them nor elaborates on the time or place of their detention, though it calls them 'suspects,' suggesting they have not been sentenced and were possibly detained in recent weeks. IRNA published two images that showed the two sitting opposite the ambassador at a meeting table. 'We are providing consular assistance to two British Nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities,' a spokesperson of the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, or FCDO, said in a statement to The Associated Press. The statement added that the FCDO has long advised against travel to Iran for British and British-Iranian nationals, who face significant risk of detention. Iran has a history of detaining and releasing western nationals on security charges. The country has long been accused of holding those with Western ties as prisoners to be used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West. Iran denies those accusations. In 2022, Iran released British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe after more than five years. She had been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran's government, a charge that she, her supporters and rights groups denied.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two British citizens detained in Iran
Two British citizens have been detained in Iran, the government has said. Both are being supported by the UK Foreign Office, according to a spokesperson. It comes following reports of the detention from Iranian state media yesterday. A spokesperson said: "We are providing consular assistance to two British Nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities." Iranian state media said on Wednesday that a man and woman were in custody in Iran's southeastern city of Kerman on security-related charges. The Foreign Office warn that people are at risk of "arrest, detention and a death sentence" if they travel to Iran. The department says that Tehran does not recognise dual nationality, and people with Iranian citizenship will be considered Iranian. The Foreign Office states: "Recent media reports suggest Iran is willing to detain people who have been visiting relatives inside Iran. Having travelled to and from Iran previously without issue does not guarantee your safety." Iran has previously arrested and held British citizens for extended periods of time. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, who are dual British-Iranian citizens, were released in March 2022 after years held captive in Iran. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
Sky News
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Two British citizens detained in Iran
Two British citizens have been detained in Iran, the government has said. Both are being supported by the UK Foreign Office, according to a spokesperson. It comes following reports of the detention from Iranian state media yesterday. A spokesperson said: "We are providing consular assistance to two British Nationals detained in Iran and are in contact with the local authorities." Iranian state media said on Wednesday that a man and woman were in custody in Iran's southeastern city of Kerman on security-related charges. The Foreign Office warn that people are at risk of "arrest, detention and a death sentence" if they travel to Iran. The department says that Tehran does not recognise dual nationality, and people with Iranian citizenship will be considered Iranian. The Foreign Office states: "Recent media reports suggest Iran is willing to detain people who have been visiting relatives inside Iran. Having travelled to and from Iran previously without issue does not guarantee your safety." Iran has previously arrested and held British citizens for extended periods of time. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, who are dual British-Iranian citizens, were released in March 2022 after years held captive in Iran. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
