17 days in to a hunger strike in support of his wife - Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is detained in Iran - Richard Ratcliffe was met by Borders MP John Lamont outside of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Westminster. Mr Lamont previously met Mr Ratcliffe outside the Iranian Embassy in 2019 as part of a similar campaign.
After being arbitrarily sentenced to a term in prison in 2016 on spying charges, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to a further year of imprisonment in March for attending a protest over 12 years ago. Her detention has been condemned by the UK Government and charities such as Amnesty International who are trying to support her.
Mr Lamont met with Richard to offer his support for him and Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, as the UK Government continue to work on her release.
Commenting, Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk John Lamont said:
“I sympathise fully with Richard, Nazanin and their young daughter. Nazanin's unfair imprisonment in Iran has been unimaginably difficult for her and her family.
“I understand why Richard has chosen to take this action. I was pleased to be able to talk with him about the ordeal, and I sincerely hope that we can secure the release of his wife as soon as possible.
“I am reassured that the Foreign Secretary continues to do everything it can to secure Nazanin's release. I believe she has already spoken to Nazanin and Richard. Her department remains committed to securing the release of all British dual nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran.
“Iran must comply with its international obligations and rectify its dire human rights record if it is to be taken seriously on the world stage.”
