Concern of Nazanin Zaghari's Freedom Campaign Over Boris Johnson's Resignation

The campaign for the freedom of Nazanin Zaghari issued a statement expressing regret over Boris Johnson's resignation from the UK Foreign Office, hoping that changes in the ministry would not delay the pursuit of her case in Iran. Richard Ratcliffe, Nazanin Zaghari's husband, stated that his wife expressed concern during a phone call from Evin Prison that Boris Johnson's resignation might postpone the handling of her case at the Foreign Office. Nazanin Zaghari has also requested a meeting with the British ambassador in Tehran. Zaghari, who holds both Iranian and British citizenship, was accused by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of collaborating with institutions opposed to the Islamic Republic and participating in 'soft overthrow' activities, leading to a five-year prison sentence. She was arrested by the IRGC on April 3, 2016, while trying to leave Iran. Last December, Richard Ratcliffe announced that another case had been opened against Nazanin Zaghari on charges of 'propaganda against the regime.' This charge arose after statements made by Boris Johnson, the then UK Foreign Secretary, regarding Zaghari. Johnson had told Members of Parliament that Zaghari traveled to Iran for journalism training, while the Thomson Reuters Foundation, for which Zaghari worked, stated she had gone for a holiday. Johnson later retracted his comments about Zaghari. The campaign for Zaghari's freedom emphasized in its statement that since last autumn, especially after Johnson's remarks that negatively impacted Zaghari in Iran, they have been seeking diplomatic immunity for her from the UK Foreign Office. The statement added that Johnson resigned at a time when the arrangements for granting political immunity to Zaghari had just been completed by the Foreign Office and were awaiting the final decision from the Foreign Secretary. Johnson resigned on Monday following a dispute with Prime Minister Theresa May over the manner of exiting the European Union. Richard Ratcliffe mentioned that his wife told him during a phone call on July 9, 'It's unbelievable! What is happening in this country (Britain)? I am very worried, worried that the new Foreign Secretary will take months to read this case, and then will want relationships to be established and new meetings to take place. I have to wait too.' The family of Nazanin Zaghari has also expressed gratitude for Boris Johnson's efforts to secure her release. Zaghari has requested a meeting with the British ambassador in Iran to be informed about the implications of the recent changes and developments in her case.