Morad Tahbaz: British-Iranian detainee returned to Evin Prison after temporary furlough

Morad Tahbaz’s family released a statement saying he had been returned to Evin prison early Wednesday morning.
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Morad Tahbaz, a British-Iranian detainee who had been released on medical furlough, has been returned to Evin Prison.

Mr Tahbaz, a 67-year-old wildlife conservationist born in Hammersmith, had been released from prison on an electronic tag in July.

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Now his family has released a statement saying that early this morning (Wednesday October 26) he was taken back to prison.

Morad Tahbaz, who has British, Iranian, and American citizenship, remains in detention in IranMorad Tahbaz, who has British, Iranian, and American citizenship, remains in detention in Iran
Morad Tahbaz, who has British, Iranian, and American citizenship, remains in detention in Iran

In a tweet they wrote: “Early this morning, Morad Tahbaz was taken back to Evin Prison after a temporary furlough.

“This was the “deal” that Liz Truss sold Morad for instead of bringing him home with the other hostages months ago.

“Rishi Sunak, you have the chance to right this wrong.”

The environmentalist’s family expected him to be freed alongside UK nationals Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori in March.

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Mr Tahbaz, co-founder of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF), has been detained in Iran for more than four years.

In January 2018, Iranian authorities arrested him and eight other people affiliated to the PWHF.

Born in Hammersmith, he holds American, British and Iranian citizenship.

During his time in captivity, Mr Tahbaz has suffered health complications due to cancer, contracted Covid-19 twice, and completed a hunger strike.

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Mr Tahbaz’s wife, Vida, has also been placed under a travel ban by the Iranian authorities.

Roxanne Tahbaz delivered a Father’s Day card and present to the Foreign OfficeRoxanne Tahbaz delivered a Father’s Day card and present to the Foreign Office
Roxanne Tahbaz delivered a Father’s Day card and present to the Foreign Office

His eldest daughter Roxanne Tahbaz, who lives in Notting Hill, is pleading with the UK government to “stand by their word” and bring her father home.

“We’re still waiting and hoping that the foreign office will help us secure his release,” Ms Tahbaz previously told LondonWorld.

“My father is a UK-born national and he and my mother should have been on the flight with Nazanin and Anoosheh.

“They should be free.

“Home is not in Iran, home is with their children.”

British-US national, Morad Tahbaz, remains imprisoned in Iran.British-US national, Morad Tahbaz, remains imprisoned in Iran.
British-US national, Morad Tahbaz, remains imprisoned in Iran.
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Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said: “This is of course terrible news for Morad and a very distressing development for his family.

“Morad is a conservationist who should never have been jailed in the first place, and we want to see the Foreign Secretary stepping up pressure on the Iranian authorities to secure his immediate and unconditional release, and his return to the UK along with his wife Vida.

“The Foreign Secretary must urgently meet with the family to outline the UK’s plans to secure Morad’s freedom, while pushing hard for full and unfettered consular access while Morad remains in detention.”

Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad said: “The Tahbaz family have confirmed that Morad has been returned to Evin prison by the Iranian authorities.

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“By continuing his horrendous ordeal with these cruel tactics, Iran sends a clear message to the international community that Iran does not deliver on its commitments.

“We call on Iran to release Morad so he may re-join family in Tehran immediately.

“We will continue to work closely with our US partners to hold Iran to account, and to secure Morad’s permanent release and departure from Iran.”

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