Latest news with #NazaninZaghari-Ratcliffe
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
'Like Nazanin, Brit couple in Iran jail are just chess pieces - but one move can free them'
Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, has told the Mirror that British hostages in Iran are 'chess pieces' in part of a bigger game, as the family of Lindsay and Craig Foreman campaign for their release Richard Ratcliffe spent years tirelessly campaigning for the release of his wife - Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe - from Iranian prison. But now, it seems to him as though little has changed. As he watches the UK government "stalling" when it comes to the British couple Lindsay and Craig Foreman - who have been detained in Iran for over 190 days - the government's approach is "depressing" in its familiarity, he tells the Mirror. Lindsay and Craig had embarked on what was supposed to be the adventurous trip of a lifetime: travelling all the way from their home in Spain to Australia on motorbikes, whilst undertaking a project about what makes a good life as they went, connecting with strangers and learning about communities. But in early January this year, the couple suddenly went out of contact with their family as they were travelling through Iran - and never arrived at their hotel. The pair were arrested by the Iranian authorities on charges of espionage - something that their four children say couldn't be further from the truth. Their children have launched a campaign to help secure the couple's release, but they know very little about the conditions their parents are enduring in Iranian prison, nor have they had much contact. In early June, the Foremans were due to be transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran - where British-Iranian dual citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was imprisoned between 2017 and her eventual release in 2022, on a series of trumped-up charges, from spying to plotting to overthrow the regime. However, just weeks later, Israeli strikes hit the infamous facility, and Lindsay and Craig's family had no idea if they were safe, or whether the planned transfer had even gone ahead. Through the Foreign Office, Iranian authorities have since said that the couple are in Kerman - but their four children spent weeks in an unbearable limbo, with no idea what was going on. Richard told the Mirror he found it "really shocking" that the UK government had not stayed on top of the couple's whereabouts during the conflict. "I was really shocked that the government had lost track of them in the middle of the Iran-Israel war, and had just closed the Embassy and not updated the family," the campaigner said. "When Evin prison got bombed, the only thing that mattered was proof of life. Not a vague assurance from the Iranian authorities, but a phone call to the family where they confirmed where they were, and a visit from an independent doctor to confirm they are ok. "It is quite astonishing that after six months, the government still has not secured that." But, the campaigner added, this was all recognisably part of the "UK's playbook for stalling" that he and his family had endured for years. The embassy in Tehran has since been reopened, and Hamish Falconer MP - Minister for the Middle East - has said, "We will continue to play our full role to ensure the safety of British nationals in Iran." Richard explained that British hostages are part of a larger "game" and that it's a "game we were a chess piece in" but that recognising and accepting this eventually made the ordeal easier to "navigate". "Iran's games weren't personal," he said, adding the realisation allowed them "to better spot the UK's playbook for stalling". He added that "talking to other families in the same shoes helped me understand our own story better - to realise Iran's games weren't personal, and to better spot the UK's playbook for stalling. "That made it gradually easier to navigate, to know the game we were a chess piece in. It takes us all time to accept." Richard has spoken with Lindsay and Craig's family and helped advise them on what steps they should take in their campaign to secure the release of their "generous and fun" parents, and he told the Mirror what an "isolating" experience a loved one being held hostage can be. "It is such an isolating and terrifying experience at the beginning. It is like the whole family goes into solitary confinement," he explained. "The main thing I told them when we first met was that they needed to get it confirmed where they were, and that they were still alive," Richard said, but added that their journey will likely differ from his own during those difficult years when Nazanin was imprisoned. "I told them that there is no road map - and what works for them will be their own path. But they should remember that the government's interests were different from the family's, and that it would continually find ways to kettle the campaign, and stop their suffering getting in the way of other agendas. "They would get sympathy, but they would have to push hard for any action. "I found it really alarming that in the six months since Craig and Lindsay were taken hostage, the family had not met the Foreign Secretary or any Minister, or even the Ambassador - and that only changed when they decided to go public. "It had been the same in Nazanin's case. So it was depressing to see none of the lessons from our had been learned, despite the Foreign Secretary's promises in the elections to transform consular protections." During his family's own ordeal, Richard told the Mirror he found strength in the way the public engaged with Nazanin's story, and those who joined the campaign and cared deeply about the outcome. "The main thing that kept us going across the years was knowing we were not alone, finding all these people following our story and caring. "I always felt it was not our campaigning that got Nazanin home, it was all the people who listened and cared. That was what moved the politicians. Lindsay and Craig's children encourage anyone moved by their parents' story to write to their MP to help their campaign to secure the couple's release from Iran. The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, and a spokesperson said to the Mirror in response to Richard's claims, "We are deeply concerned by reports that two British nationals have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities. 'We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.'
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
BBC film about charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's horror Iranian prison ordeal will star Bafta-nominated actor
THE prison ordeal endured by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family will be featured in a BBC documentary and drama. 8 Joseph Fiennes is best known for playing William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love Credit: AP:Associated Press A drama chronicling what happened to Nazanin is being made by the Beeb. The four-parter is based on forthcoming book A Yard Of Sky, written by the couple, and Nazanin will be played by Narges Rashidi. In the documentary, which will be screened alongside the drama, the couple talk in detail about what happened and how they are rebuilding their lives. READ MORE TV NEWS The BBC has yet to confirm when they will be shown. 8 A drama chronicling what happened to Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being made by the BBC Credit: Getty Bella stars in dark comedy THE Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey will lead a Channel 4 drama called Maya, alongside Daisy Haggard. It follows a mum and daughter forced into a witness protection programme who relocate to a rural town in Scotland. The 'darkly comedic' six-parter starts filming later this year. A Grand return by Kevin GRAND Designs: House Of The Year is back as He will be joined by experts 8 Grand Designs: House Of The Year is back, pictured Kevin McCloud Credit: PA The final episode of the four-part series will then unveil the winner of the RIBA House of the Year 2025. Most read in News TV Kevin said: 'This series celebrates a sparkling range of what's possible in domestic architecture today. It's a great privilege to be able to help uncover these gems of creative imagination – and of course it's a complete joy to be back presenting House of the Year alongside Natasha and Damion.' The series will hit our screens on Channel 4 later this year. Iconic Grand Designs 'perfect' house which couple spent 20 years 'painstakingly' renovating hits market for £1.5million Bear Necessities A FIFTH series of chef comedy drama The Bear starring Jeremy Allen White has been confirmed, hot on the heels of the fourth landing on Disney+ this week. John Landgraf, the boss of FX who make the show created by Christopher Storer, described it as a 'magnificent story'. Phyllis clues up with Kev She stars as Cora – aka the Puzzle Lady – in whodunnit detective series Murder Most Puzzling on Channel 5 opposite hubby of 14 years 8 Phyllis Logan stars as Cora – aka the Puzzle Lady – in whodunnit detective series Murder Most Puzzling Credit: Channel 5 The role is opposite They had already appeared together as man and wife in BBC One historical drama Miss Austen last year, then got to do it all over again months later. Phyllis, who will be in the third and final Downton Abbey movie playing housekeeper Mrs Carson this September, said: 'I had no idea that he was being offered the part and was surprised and delighted, since I'd been away from home for ages. 'It was lovely to have him visit and to bookend the year by working together again.' The latest episode of Murder Most Puzzling is on today at 8pm. Rider's murder riddle SKY will delve into the shocking death of When the promising young rider died unexpectedly aged 21 in 2020, it was believed she had taken her own life. 8 Sky will delve into the shocking death of showjumper Katie Simpson Then a local journalist in Northern Ireland realised there were similarities between her death and another cold case murder, which led to Jonathan Creswell, the partner of Katie's sister, standing trial. He denied charges of rape and murder but was found dead at home shortly after the trial began in 2024. The three-parter, Death of A Showjumper, which lands on Sky and NOW on July 16, will tell the story through personal accounts from friends and family, and insight from the investigation team. Sacha a hairy scary The Ali G and Borat comic is revealed as the soul-manipulating demon in the series finale, complete with long hair and beard. 8 Sacha Baron Cohen is looking seriously scary in his latest role Credit: TNI Press 8 Sacha has finally been unveiled as evil adversary Mephisto in Disney+ Marvel miniseries Ironheart Credit: TNI Press The show is based around teenage genius Riri Williams, played by Dominique Thorne, who has created her own version of the Iron Man suit made famous by Robert Downey Jr in the movies. Mephisto appears to tempt Riri to change her troubled past – and make her suit even more powerful with his magic. 8 The comic is revealed as the soul-manipulating demon in the series finale Credit: TNI Press
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
BBC film about charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's horror Iranian prison ordeal will star Bafta-nominated actor
Meanwhile, the future of chef comedy drama The Bear has been decided Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE prison ordeal endured by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her family will be featured in a BBC documentary and drama. The British-Iranian charity worker was accused of spying and jailed in Iran in 2016, before being released three years ago. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 8 Joseph Fiennes is best known for playing William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love Credit: AP:Associated Press A drama chronicling what happened to Nazanin is being made by the Beeb. Joseph Fiennes plays her husband Richard, who campaigned for her release so she could be reunited with him and their daughter. The four-parter is based on forthcoming book A Yard Of Sky, written by the couple, and Nazanin will be played by Narges Rashidi. In the documentary, which will be screened alongside the drama, the couple talk in detail about what happened and how they are rebuilding their lives. READ MORE TV NEWS SCREEN QUEEN Where you've seen the real voice behind Squid Game's famous doll on TV before The BBC has yet to confirm when they will be shown. 8 A drama chronicling what happened to Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being made by the BBC Credit: Getty Bella stars in dark comedy THE Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey will lead a Channel 4 drama called Maya, alongside Daisy Haggard. It follows a mum and daughter forced into a witness protection programme who relocate to a rural town in Scotland. The 'darkly comedic' six-parter starts filming later this year. A Grand return by Kevin GRAND Designs: House Of The Year is back as Kevin McCloud takes us on a tour of more of architectural gems. He will be joined by experts Damion Burrows and Natasha Huq to scour the Royal Institute of British Architect's shortlist of projects. 8 Grand Designs: House Of The Year is back, pictured Kevin McCloud Credit: PA The final episode of the four-part series will then unveil the winner of the RIBA House of the Year 2025. Kevin said: 'This series celebrates a sparkling range of what's possible in domestic architecture today. It's a great privilege to be able to help uncover these gems of creative imagination – and of course it's a complete joy to be back presenting House of the Year alongside Natasha and Damion.' The series will hit our screens on Channel 4 later this year. Iconic Grand Designs 'perfect' house which couple spent 20 years 'painstakingly' renovating hits market for £1.5million Bear Necessities A FIFTH series of chef comedy drama The Bear starring Jeremy Allen White has been confirmed, hot on the heels of the fourth landing on Disney+ this week. John Landgraf, the boss of FX who make the show created by Christopher Storer, described it as a 'magnificent story'. Phyllis clues up with Kev PHYLLIS LOGAN got to spend more time with her husband than she bargained for – after he was cast as her love interest. She stars as Cora – aka the Puzzle Lady – in whodunnit detective series Murder Most Puzzling on Channel 5 opposite hubby of 14 years 8 Phyllis Logan stars as Cora – aka the Puzzle Lady – in whodunnit detective series Murder Most Puzzling Credit: Channel 5 The role is opposite Kevin McNally, her husband of 14 years. They had already appeared together as man and wife in BBC One historical drama Miss Austen last year, then got to do it all over again months later. Phyllis, who will be in the third and final Downton Abbey movie playing housekeeper Mrs Carson this September, said: 'I had no idea that he was being offered the part and was surprised and delighted, since I'd been away from home for ages. 'It was lovely to have him visit and to bookend the year by working together again.' The latest episode of Murder Most Puzzling is on today at 8pm. Rider's murder riddle SKY will delve into the shocking death of showjumper Katie Simpson in a new documentary. When the promising young rider died unexpectedly aged 21 in 2020, it was believed she had taken her own life. 8 Sky will delve into the shocking death of showjumper Katie Simpson Then a local journalist in Northern Ireland realised there were similarities between her death and another cold case murder, which led to Jonathan Creswell, the partner of Katie's sister, standing trial. He denied charges of rape and murder but was found dead at home shortly after the trial began in 2024. The three-parter, Death of A Showjumper, which lands on Sky and NOW on July 16, will tell the story through personal accounts from friends and family, and insight from the investigation team. Sacha a hairy scary SACHA BARON COHEN is seriously scary after finally being unveiled as evil adversary Mephisto in Disney+ Marvel miniseries Ironheart. The Ali G and Borat comic is revealed as the soul-manipulating demon in the series finale, complete with long hair and beard. 8 Sacha Baron Cohen is looking seriously scary in his latest role Credit: TNI Press 8 Sacha has finally been unveiled as evil adversary Mephisto in Disney+ Marvel miniseries Ironheart Credit: TNI Press The show is based around teenage genius Riri Williams, played by Dominique Thorne, who has created her own version of the Iron Man suit made famous by Robert Downey Jr in the movies. Mephisto appears to tempt Riri to change her troubled past – and make her suit even more powerful with his magic.
The National
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
I spent four years in Iran's Evin Prison, but strength has come from it
The retired civil engineer, now 71, had been visiting his mum in the north of Tehran when he was suddenly arrested and imprisoned having been falsely accused of spying for Israel's Mossad Intelligence agency, despite having lived in the UK for 20 years. He spent nearly five years in the jail in foul conditions, facing long hours of interrogation and threats, which eventually drove him to attempt to take his own life three times. But through his own and his family's perseverance and determination, he has lived to tell the tale. In March 2022, Ashoori was released from Evin Prison alongside fellow British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. READ MORE: Glasgow arts centre temporarily closes after pro-Palestine protest Their release followed months of intensive diplomatic negotiations between London and Tehran and the repaying of a debt owed by the UK to Iran. The UK paid £393.8m owed to Iran after it cancelled an order for British-made Chieftain tanks following the overthrow of the Shah in the revolution of 1979. Now dad-of-two Ashoori will be sharing his incredible story with the people of Scotland at an exhibition accounting his experiences in Perth, run by the local Amnesty International group. Ashoori told The National he wanted to convey some crucial messages in the account of his ordeal and remind people that what happened to him could have happened to anyone. 'If we as the British public are indifferent to the things that are happening around us, it will come and knock at our door,' he said. 'So we should be vigilant. I was an ordinary person, I was living my own life, and I was involved with engineering, my main hobby was astronomy, nothing to do with politics and I fell into this trap. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. 'My other message is that there are two golden rules for victory; golden rule number one is always remember that perseverance pays off, as it did for me. Golden rule number two is never forget golden rule number one. (Image: Amnesty International) 'It was because of perseverance by my family that I am now here. Otherwise I would be among my friends who are now being transferred from Evin prison after that attack to a far worse prison in south of Tehran. Their life has turned from hell, to triple hell." Evin Prison came under attack by Israel earlier this week amid strikes elsewhere in Tehran. The exhibition at St John's Kirk in Perth – devised by Ashoori himself with the support of Amnesty International – will recreate the emotional and physical reality of his detention and will feature personal items Ashoori was able to smuggle out of Tehran's notorious Evin prison after his release. It will feature a reconstruction of his arrest, the crowded conditions in cockroach- and bedbug-infested communal cells, and how the inspiration of hoping to run the London marathon after his release helped Ashoori cope with his time in jail. It is miraculous he is now able to share this story of resolve and courage when a few years before, he had been in solitary confinement, with a floodlight beaming down onto his head 24 hours a day and malfunctioning air conditioning. 'All that it could blow was hot air,' he said. READ MORE: Patrick Harvie and Angus Robertson face-off over Israel divestment 'The food was foul, and I could hear very clearly the sound of crying and whimpering of my neighbouring cells. So, there was sleep deprivation, long hours of interrogation trying to force me to make confessions. 'Then came the threats. They had my laptop, and they printed pictures of my family members. They used to come and say, 'look this is your son smiling, next time you're going to have a picture of his corpse'. 'When you are going through that day after day, you reach a threshold. Eventually, because of those pressures and lack of sleep, you tend to believe what they say. 'I reached a point where I reasoned with myself that the only way to protect my family members from harm was not to be. That led to three suicide attempts. Luckily, I survived.' Amid the torture and despair Ashoori was going through, there was glimpses of hope he held onto, through running while in prison and the poetry society he created with other inmates. One of his fellow prisoners opened his eyes to a collection of poems called Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire, which he reflects on regularly in the healthy, happy life he now leads – which has included him living out his dream of running the London Marathon no less than four times. 'After being released, the Anoosheh Ashoori that was so indifferent to all these things became quite active. So many good things emerged, one of them was the London Marathon, of course,' he said. 'The Flowers of Evil collection of poems [taught us] even from the darkest places, goodness can emerge. Strength can emerge. That is what happened.' The Surviving Evin exhibition is running from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, July 6, at St John's Kirk, Perth.
The National
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
'I spent four years in Iran's Evin Prison, but strength has come from it'
The retired civil engineer, now 71, had been visiting his mum in the north of Tehran when he was suddenly arrested and imprisoned having been falsely accused of spying for Israel's Mossad Intelligence agency, despite having lived in the UK for 20 years. He spent nearly five years in the jail in foul conditions, facing long hours of interrogation and threats, which eventually drove him to attempt to take his own life three times. But through his own and his family's perseverance and determination, he has lived to tell the tale. In March 2022, Ashoori was released from Evin Prison alongside fellow British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. READ MORE: Glasgow arts centre temporarily closes after pro-Palestine protest Their release followed months of intensive diplomatic negotiations between London and Tehran and the repaying of a debt owed by the UK to Iran. The UK paid £393.8m owed to Iran after it cancelled an order for British-made Chieftain tanks following the overthrow of the Shah in the revolution of 1979. Now dad-of-two Ashoori will be sharing his incredible story with the people of Scotland at an exhibition accounting his experiences in Perth, run by the local Amnesty International group. Ashoori told The National he wanted to convey some crucial messages in the account of his ordeal and remind people that what happened to him could have happened to anyone. 'If we as the British public are indifferent to the things that are happening around us, it will come and knock at our door,' he said. 'So we should be vigilant. I was an ordinary person, I was living my own life, and I was involved with engineering, my main hobby was astronomy, nothing to do with politics and I fell into this trap. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. 'My other message is that there are two golden rules for victory; golden rule number one is always remember that perseverance pays off, as it did for me. Golden rule number two is never forget golden rule number one. (Image: Amnesty International) 'It was because of perseverance by my family that I am now here. Otherwise I would be among my friends who are now being transferred from Evin prison after that attack to a far worse prison in south of Tehran. Their life has turned from hell, to triple hell." Evin Prison came under attack by Israel earlier this week amid strikes elsewhere in Tehran. The exhibition at St John's Kirk in Perth – devised by Ashoori himself with the support of Amnesty International – will recreate the emotional and physical reality of his detention and will feature personal items Ashoori was able to smuggle out of Tehran's notorious Evin prison after his release. It will feature a reconstruction of his arrest, the crowded conditions in cockroach- and bedbug-infested communal cells, and how the inspiration of hoping to run the London marathon after his release helped Ashoori cope with his time in jail. It is miraculous he is now able to share this story of resolve and courage when a few years before, he had been in solitary confinement, with a floodlight beaming down onto his head 24 hours a day and malfunctioning air conditioning. 'All that it could blow was hot air,' he said. READ MORE: Patrick Harvie and Angus Robertson face-off over Israel divestment 'The food was foul, and I could hear very clearly the sound of crying and whimpering of my neighbouring cells. So, there was sleep deprivation, long hours of interrogation trying to force me to make confessions. 'Then came the threats. They had my laptop, and they printed pictures of my family members. They used to come and say, 'look this is your son smiling, next time you're going to have a picture of his corpse'. 'When you are going through that day after day, you reach a threshold. Eventually, because of those pressures and lack of sleep, you tend to believe what they say. 'I reached a point where I reasoned with myself that the only way to protect my family members from harm was not to be. That led to three suicide attempts. Luckily, I survived.' Amid the torture and despair Ashoori was going through, there was glimpses of hope he held onto, through running while in prison and the poetry society he created with other inmates. One of his fellow prisoners opened his eyes to a collection of poems called Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire, which he reflects on regularly in the healthy, happy life he now leads – which has included him living out his dream of running the London Marathon no less than four times. 'After being released, the Anoosheh Ashoori that was so indifferent to all these things became quite active. So many good things emerged, one of them was the London Marathon, of course,' he said. 'The Flowers of Evil collection of poems [taught us] even from the darkest places, goodness can emerge. Strength can emerge. That is what happened.' The Surviving Evin exhibition is running from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, July 6, at St John's Kirk, Perth.
