United Kingdom: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband stops hunger strike

Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of the British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe stopped his hunger strike this Saturday, November 13, 2021.

Here, as he speaks with a reporter outside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London, Thursday, November 11, 2021. AP - David Cliff

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

After 21 days, Richard Ratcliffe ended his hunger strike in London on Saturday.

This father wanted to challenge the British government on the fate of his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, held by Iranian justice since 2016.

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With our correspondent in London,

It is in a message posted on Twitter that Richard Ratcliffe announced to end his mobilization.

“

 ” he wrote, adding that he would go to the hospital for a check-up.

Day 21 #FreeNazanin

Today I have promised Nazanin to end the hunger strike

Gabriella needs two parents

Thank you all for your overwhelming care these past three weeks pic.twitter.com/6Sol62j7HY

- Free Nazanin (@FreeNazanin) November 13, 2021

It had been three weeks since Richard Ratcliffe had set up his tent outside the Foreign Office in central London, surrounded by photos of his wife and signs calling for government action.

During these three weeks, he received many visits, from the leader of the Labor opposition or parliamentarians for example, but also from anonymous people who came to show him their support and bring him green tea or hot water bottles.

► See also: United Kingdom: vigil in support of the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on hunger strike

Little hope for a quick release

These three weeks, however, did not allow Richard Ratcliffe to foresee the hope of finding his wife, hostage, according to him, because of an old debt claimed by Tehran to the British state since 1979. He was received. twice at the ministry during his hunger strike.

Two meetings that he describes as “

”.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been banned from leaving Iran after being jailed in 2016 while visiting family.

She is accused of conspiracy against the state, which she denies.

The British-Iranian has already spent five years in prison in Iran.

Her husband fears that she will have to serve an additional sentence, after a new conviction,

last month.

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