British-Iranian Prisoner Nahid Taghavi Contacts Son From Evin Prison After Three Months
Joe Bennett has reported receiving a telephone call from his mother, Nahid Taghavi, held in Iran. This communication marks the first time she has been in contact with her family in three months, providing what Mr Bennett described as "enormous relief".
Ms Taghavi, a dual British-Iranian national, was arrested in October 2020. Her husband, Mehran Raoof, also a dual British-Iranian citizen, was arrested at the same time. Both were subsequently sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison on charges of 'collaboration with hostile states'. These charges, frequently levelled against dual nationals and foreign citizens in Iran, are consistently rejected by their families and human rights organisations as politically motivated.
While Ms Taghavi has now managed to re-establish contact, Mr Raoof has not been heard from since August 2023. Human rights groups and family members continue to express serious concern over the welfare of both individuals, highlighting the lack of transparency surrounding their detention and legal processes. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has repeatedly stated that it is unable to offer consular assistance to dual nationals in Iran, as Tehran does not recognise their dual citizenship. This diplomatic impasse leaves such prisoners particularly vulnerable, with their cases often becoming bargaining chips in broader international relations. Critics contend that the UK government's approach has been insufficient in securing the release of its citizens, prioritising broader geopolitical considerations over individual liberty.
