Jailed British mum Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has latest court hearing delayed after Boris Johnson confronts president of Iran about her case
A BRITISH mum imprisoned in Iran yesterday claimed there was “light at the end of the tunnel” – after a dramatic intervention by Boris Johnson.
The Foreign Secretary held “forthright” talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in Tehran yesterday.
And within hours it emerged a scheduled court hearing that could have doubled the mum’s five-year sentence was postponed.
Husband Richard Ratcliffe spoke of his huge relief yesterday and declared the family had “our first ripple of freedom”.
After speaking to his wife by phone he told Sky News in London: “I am much happier than I was and Nazanin was much happier.
“She was relieved. She feels there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Foreign Secretary flew to Iran on Saturday for “frank” talks with three Iranian officials about Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe – jailed last year on trumped up spy charges.
He met Nazanin’s close relatives on Saturday night for 45 minutes – discussing her health and the impact of the case on daughter, Gabriella, who couldn’t go as she was unwell.
Richard Ratcliffe revealed the Foreign Secretary told the family he couldn’t give “false hope” about freeing Nazanin, but “did promise to do his best to solve the case”.
Foreign Office officials confirmed Nazanin came up during a one hour meeting with President Rouhani yesterday – where the Foreign Secretary presented Iran’s leader with a Fortnum & Mason tea set.
The President said he was aware of the UK’s concerns.
Boris Johnson enraged Richard Ratcliffe last month when he mistakenly told MPs Nazanin was teaching journalists when arrested in Iran early last year.
The family’s entire defence rested on the fact she was visiting relatives on holiday.
But speaking yesterday Mr Ratcliffe told The Sun: “I think I am very optimistic.
“There’s been a lot of false turns and setbacks and I know I should not get my hopes up. But the court case not going ahead is a big thing.”
He added: “A month ago I was cursing the Foreign Secretary. But he promised he would do his best for Nazanin and he has been as good as his word.
“He got to Iran and he got there before her court case and that did make a difference.”
Nazanin, 39, was arrested last year as she and her daughter Gabrielle, now three, attempted to fly back to Britain.
Iran’s judiciary claimed Boris Johnson’s gaffe last month had revealed the truth about her visit.
In a statement yesterday the Foreign Office said: “In both meetings the Foreign Secretary discussed the full range of regional and bilateral issues, including banking matters and our concerns about the consular cases of dual nationals.
“During nearly an hour of talks with President Rouhani, both spoke forthrightly about the obstacles in the relationship and agreed on the need to make progress in all areas. It has been a worthwhile visit.”
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