Summoning of Iran's Ambassador in London Regarding Nazanin Zaghari's Situation

On Monday, January 13, Jeremy Hunt, the British Foreign Secretary, stated that he summoned Iran's ambassador in London in protest against the situation of Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe in prison. Meanwhile, Nazanin Zaghari's husband claims that security agents have suggested to her that she could spy for them in the UK in exchange for her freedom. This comes as Nazanin Zaghari and Narges Mohammadi, the Vice President and spokesperson of the Human Rights Defenders Association, have begun a three-day hunger strike on Monday in protest against the lack of medical care provided by prison officials. These two political prisoners state that a trusted doctor from the prison organization had written a report ordering that they be treated urgently at medical facilities, but prison officials have prevented this for unknown reasons. Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe, an employee of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, was arrested in April 2016 while traveling to Iran with her young daughter and was accused of 'attempting to overthrow' the Iranian government, allegations that she and her lawyer have repeatedly denied. Jeremy Hunt tweeted: 'I summoned the Iranian ambassador today and demanded access to medical needs and assistance for her. Her continued detention is completely unacceptable, and the treatment of Iranian authorities towards her in prison is a violation of fundamental human rights.' The British Foreign Secretary has called for immediate action from Iran in this regard. In this context, Hamid Baeidinejad, the Iranian ambassador, also commented on the summoning and meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, stating: 'I explained to him that dual nationals are all considered Iranian citizens and have civil rights. Ms. Zaghari, as an Iranian citizen, has access to necessary medical facilities and will continue to do so.' The Iranian ambassador stated that the British Foreign Secretary's inquiry about Nazanin Zaghari's situation is considered 'interference in Iran's internal affairs' since 'this lady' is in prison for 'spying' for the UK. He added: 'Thus, this interference will not only help her but will also increase negative sensitivity among the Iranian people and officials against the policies of the British government.' Meanwhile, Richard Ratcliffe, Nazanin Zaghari's husband, stated in a press conference on Monday that security agents have suggested to his wife that she could spy for Iran in exchange for her freedom. Richard Ratcliffe also mentioned that after the press conference with the British Foreign Secretary, he would meet with him to request that diplomatic protection be granted to Nazanin Zaghari. Diplomatic protection is granted under international law when a citizen's rights are disregarded in another country, and the case of this citizen becomes a national issue, which can affect the relations between the two countries.