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Detainee in Iran with triple nationality who was released as part of deal with UK is sent back to jail
Morad Tahbaz, who can also be a US citizen, spent 48 hours “underneath home arrest” with an ankle bracelet earlier than being taken again to jail, based on his lawyer Hojjat Kermani.
Tahbaz’s lawyer advised CNN that “safety guards surrounded Morad’s residence for 48 hours earlier than taking him again to jail.”
On Friday, a UK Overseas Workplace spokesperson stated “the Iranians have advised the UK authorities that Morad has been taken to Evin to suit an ankle tag that ought to have been fitted earlier than his launch. We hope to see him returned to his residence within the coming hours. Morad Tahbaz is a tri-national and we’re working carefully with the US to safe Morad’s everlasting launch.”
A spokesperson for the US State Division additionally advised CNN that “Iran made a dedication to the UK to furlough Morad Tahbaz. Because the UK authorities has stated, the UK has been advised that Morad has been returned to Evin jail solely to be fitted with an ankle tag, after which he can be allowed to go residence.”
The spokesperson added that the US shouldn’t be “a celebration to this association, however would be part of the UK in contemplating something wanting Morad’s speedy furlough a violation of Iran’s dedication.”
As of Saturday morning, CNN can’t verify whether or not Tahbaz has been rereleased from jail and again underneath home arrest.
The US is “urgently consulting” with the UK on acceptable responses and stated it continues “to work evening and day to safe the discharge of our wrongfully detained residents, together with U.S.-UK citizen Morad Tahbaz.”
The State Dept. spokesperson added, “merely put, Iran is unjustly detaining harmless Individuals and others and may launch them instantly.”
Following the discharge of Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Ashoori earlier this week, Truss introduced the UK had settled a decades-old £400 million ($524 million) debt owed to Iran, which Iran’s Overseas Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian denied was linked to the jail launch on Wednesday.
Ramin Mostaghim reported from Tehran, Celine Alkhaldi wrote from Abu Dhabi, Ruba Alhenawi and Maija Ehlinger wrote from Atlanta, Arnaud Siad wrote from London and Jennifer Hansler wrote from the State Division. CNN’s Jeevan Ravindran contributed to this report.