Ejei: Judiciary Has Not Made a Decision on the Release of Zaghari and Foroughi

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei stated that the Iranian judiciary has not yet made a decision regarding the release of Nazanin Zaghari and Kamal Foroughi. Thus, the last opportunity for Ms. Zaghari's release before Christmas has been missed. The judiciary spokesperson said on Sunday, December 24, to reporters that the British delegation led by Boris Johnson, the UK Foreign Secretary, did not discuss Zaghari and Foroughi with the judiciary, and the judiciary has not made any decisions regarding these individuals. He referred to Iranian penal laws regarding conditional release for individuals who have served one-third or half of their sentences, stating that 'these two prisoners' are 'like other prisoners, and if one day they are deserving of a reduction in punishment, it will happen.' Mr. Mohseni Ejei also emphasized that Nazanin Zaghari has another 'ongoing case,' 'but I do not know at what stage it is.' This judiciary official did not provide details about this case. When asked if the British Foreign Secretary met with the head of the judiciary, he said, 'I have no information. These matters are handled through the Foreign Secretary, but I know that no meeting has taken place.' Nazanin Zaghari has been accused by the Revolutionary Guards of collaborating with institutions opposed to the Islamic Republic and participating in 'soft overthrow' activities, and the Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years in prison. She was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards on April 3, 2016, while leaving Iran. Boris Johnson, who visited Iran last month, stated that he requested the release of dual nationals during his meetings with Iranian officials. Richard Ratcliffe, Ms. Zaghari's husband, told the British newspaper Independent on December 21 that Nazanin's lawyer discovered that her name had been removed from the list of 'closed' cases on the Iranian judiciary's website and transferred to the list of 'eligible for early release.' However, Gholamhossein Esmaili, the head of the Tehran judiciary, responded by saying, 'None of the claims made by Western media regarding this case have been confirmed by judicial authorities.' These developments come as the Times of London reported on Sunday that the last opportunity for Nazanin Zaghari's release before Christmas—on Monday—has been missed. The newspaper referred to the last possible flight between Tehran and London on Saturday, which Nazanin Zaghari was not a passenger on. Kamal Foroughi, a 77-year-old Iranian-British citizen, has been imprisoned in Iran for seven years. The Islamic Republic of Iran does not recognize dual citizenship and considers those entering the country with an Iranian passport as Iranian citizens.