Morad Tahbaz, British-Iranian man detained in Tehran prison was released on e-tag, the UK Foreign Office confirmed.
He should have been released on tag at the same time that Nazanin Zagari-Ratcliffe and Anusha Ashuri were allowed to return to the UK in March, but he was only allowed to return to his mother’s home in Tehran for a few days before shipping back to Evin prison.
Tahbaz is a co-founder of Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. In January 2018, Iranian authorities arrested him and eight other individuals associated with PWHF. He has American, as well as British and Iranian citizenship.
In November 2019, an Iranian court sentenced Tahbaz to 10 years in prison. in prison for “contacts with United States enemy government”.
It is clear that Oman government acted as a broker in release as it was in release of Zagari Ratcliffe.
An FCO spokesperson stated: “Tahbaz family confirmed that Morad was released from Evin prison on vacation and is with them home in Tehran.
“Morad is three-national and we continue work close with US to urge Iranian authorities to release him permanently and allow his departure from Iran.
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No it’s not clear if there was any exchange by the US or UK that led to a weakening of his terms. One possibility is that Oman or another foreign power agreed to post a substantial bond ensure his release.
Tahbaz daughter, Roxana Tahbaz, told her father “should be free” and urged the foreign secretary, Liz Truss, to do more. She said in statement: “I can confirm my father is on temporary leave in Iran with ankle bracelet.
“I’m glad he can be with my mother who is also in Iran on travel ban and that this vacation allow him to receive the medical care he urgently needs.
“However, UK governments work not finished. My father born in UK national and he and mine mother should Was on flight with Nazanin and Anusha four months ago.
“They are should be free. House is not in Iran, home is with them children.
“As a foreign secretary campaigns on Promise of results and delivering the nation, I hope she keeps her promise to my family and to my father as well as ensure his unconditional release.
Eileed MacPherson, Amnesty International UK representatives in risk campaign manager said: “This is very reassuring news but we’ve been here before and we’re here now need to see the UK press hard for Morada full unconditional release and permission for him to leave Iran together with his wife Vida.
“Back in March, when Morad was given a temporary release for just 48 hoursit was clear once Iranian authorities again playing cruel games with British national for diplomatic benefit.
“It goes without saying that Morad should never been in jail in in first place and this remains question of grave concern that British citizens continue to be arbitrarily held by Iranian authorities like this is.”
Great Britain already repaid a historic £400 million debt he owed Iran move this, according to most observers, was due to the release of Zaghary-Ratcliffe. Truss refused to acknowledge any direct connection and said the two episodes were unrelated.
Truss has been criticized for allowing the release of Ashuri and Zaghari-Ratcliffe without securing release of Tahbaz, but she apparently thought that the Iranians were adamant and that Tahbaz would be treated like a man whose future will be discussed with United States. Truss said the Iranians are gone back on their commitment allow free him on vacation.
