Concern of Amnesty International Regarding Nazanin Zaghari's Situation in Evin Prison

Amnesty International expressed concern on Friday about the physical and mental health of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman sentenced to five years in prison. The human rights organization stated that Richard Ratcliffe, Nazanin's husband, reported that her condition has severely deteriorated in recent weeks and that she is contemplating suicide. The report adds that Nazanin's health has become so poor that prison officials have arranged for her to meet with her family. She has been on a hunger strike for five days. Amnesty International's statement mentioned that Nazanin's mother was shocked and fainted during a visit upon seeing her daughter so weak and emaciated. The family of this British-Iranian citizen stated that despite Nazanin being re-examined by the Evin prison doctor, she is being denied necessary medical services. They added that Nazanin suffers from heart problems and chronic headaches. Richard Ratcliffe also told Amnesty International that the pressures on Nazanin have brought her to the 'breaking point,' and her spirits have weakened to the extent that she wrote a suicide note and gave it to her cellmate. Philip Luther, the Middle East director of Amnesty International, said that the news of Nazanin Zaghari's deteriorating health is very alarming, especially since she has been unjustly sentenced to five years in prison on charges of acting against national security. Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who traveled to Iran with her young child, was arrested at Tehran Airport on April 15 this year while attempting to leave Iran. Her family announced on September 10 that she had been sentenced to five years in prison for 'acting against national security.' Previously, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had accused her of participating in widespread anti-government protests in 2009 following Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidential election victory. The British passport of Gabriella, Ms. Zaghari's daughter, who was born in Britain, has been confiscated, and she cannot leave Iran, with Ms. Zaghari's parents taking care of her. In this context, Nazanin Zaghari's husband has urged Britain to increase pressure for her release. The British Prime Minister expressed concern about Nazanin Zaghari's situation during a meeting with Rouhani, stating, 'Perhaps with more political pressure, Nazanin will return home sooner.'