Zaghari-Ratcliffe told the BBC that she was “signed” after traveling to Tehran International Airport on the day of her release. [a] I was forced to confess at the airport in the presence of the British government. “
“They told me you couldn’t fly, and I knew it was just like a game because I knew, they were given money and I He let me sign the wrong piece of paper. It’s a compulsory confession. “
Workers from British and Iranian charities have been accused of working with organizations trying to overthrow the Iranian regime. She was released on March 16, 2022, after being detained for nearly six years after being convicted of her. On the same day, the British government settled a dispute with the Iranian government over its debt of £ 400 million ($ 524 million) decades ago to Iran. The denial by Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdrahian was related to the release of prisoners. According to a research report released by the House of Commons Library, the debt was for undelivered armored vehicles and tanks, initially ordered by Iran, but canceled by the United Kingdom in response to the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Zaghari Ratcliffe told the BBC when he met British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on May 13 that her detention was “about the debt” that the British government owes to Iran.
British officials told CNN in the background that Zagari Ratcliff was asked to sign a document at the airport under threats of being prevented from leaving Iran. British officials attended to oversee the departure of Zaghari Ratcliffe and two detained nationals, Anoosheh Ashoori, from Iran.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Department said in a statement, “Iran has exposed Nazanin Zagari Ratcliff to horrific trials until the moment he leaves the country, during which the British government has made constant efforts to end her. It was always a gift of Iran to release Nazanin and allow her to return to her family, despite unjustified detention. “
CNN is seeking comment from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe emphasized in an interview with the BBC that all “false confessions we were exposed to” were “not worth it.”
“They are just a promotion to show how scary the Iranian government is, and they can do whatever they want,” she added.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe shared details with the BBC about her living conditions in custody and said she had been in a 1×2 meter windowless cell for about nine months.
“There’s a reason they keep people lonely, to confess what they’re not doing, and that works,” she said.
She also talked about the “sense of responsibility” she feels when talking about her detention “at least not to happen to others.”
Source: www.cnn.com
