Ahmad Shaheed Calls for the Immediate Release of Three Dual Nationals from Iranian Prisons

The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Ahmad Shaheed, called for the immediate release of three dual nationals on Friday, October 8, due to concerns about their health conditions. According to Reuters, Shaheed highlighted the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, an Iranian-British citizen who was arrested in May along with her two-year-old daughter and was tried in August by Judge Salavati. As reported by Zaghari's family on September 10, a branch of the Revolutionary Court sentenced this Iranian-British national to five years in prison on unspecified charges. Ahmad Shaheed stated, "Condemning individuals based on charges that are kept secret from the defendants and their lawyers is a mockery of justice." He noted that Zaghari's health has deteriorated since her arrest. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which detained this Iranian-British citizen, accused her of attempting to overthrow the Islamic Republic. Zaghari was working for the Thomson Reuters Foundation, a charity independent of Reuters, and both the foundation and Zaghari's husband have denied the allegations made by the IRGC. The UN Special Rapporteur also protested the imprisonment of two elderly Iranians by the Islamic Republic, stating that they need medical care and should be released. Baqer Namazi, 80, who also holds American citizenship, has been detained since last February on unspecified charges and does not have access to a lawyer. Kamal Faroughi, 77, who holds British citizenship as well, was arrested in May 2011 and sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of espionage and possession of alcoholic beverages. Amnesty International warned on September 13 about Faroughi's health condition, stating that he needs immediate surgery. Ahmad Shaheed welcomed the release of Homa Hoodfar, an Iranian-Canadian professor who was detained earlier this year. Hoodfar was released a week after negotiations between Iran and Canada to resume their relations, which had been cut off in 2012. Iran does not recognize dual nationality and prevents Western embassy members from visiting detainees with dual citizenship. UNICEF has expressed concern about Baqer Namazi's condition in Evin prison. The family of Iranian-British citizen Nazanin Zaghari has reported that she has been sentenced to five years in prison. Amnesty International stated that Kamal Faroughi, an Iranian-British citizen, needs immediate surgery. The British Prime Minister expressed concern about Nazanin Zaghari's situation during a meeting with Rouhani. Homa Hoodfar has returned to Canada.