After four years, a British family has just revealed that that the 76-year-old dual national father has been sitting in an Iranian jail for four years on being convicted on spying—yet another dual national casualty of Iran’s sour relations with the West.
His family just recently decided to go public and draw attention to the man they describe as one of the “oldest and loneliest prisoners in Iran.” They went to The Guardian to tell their story.
Kamal Foroughi, a businessman who was working in Tehran as a consultant for the Malaysian national oil and gas company, Petronas, was arrested in May 2011 at his Tehran apartment.
The police did not show a warrant for his arrest, according to his family.
Foroughi was held at Evin prison and eventually sentenced in 2013 to eight years, which he is still serving in Evin.
“My dad’s detention has been a total nightmare for all the family,” Foroughi’s son, Kamran, told The Guardian. “My dad has always strenuously maintained his innocence and we believe him. We are not aware of any evidence that justifies the espionage charge. My daughters have lived half their lives without seeing grandpa and keep asking when he is coming home. All I can do is give them a hug.”
Foroughi’s consultancy role at Petronas included arranging and participating in meetings with senior Iranian oil and gas officials and making arrangements for Iranian students to study in Malaysia.
Foroughi was sentenced to seven years for espionage and an additional year for possessing alcohol at home. His relatives said they have repeatedly contacted the Judiciary both directly and through his lawyer but have not had any clarity on the reasons for his spying charges.
His case was presided over by the Judge Abol-Qassem Salavati, who is notorious for handing down heavy sentences in politically charged cases.
Kamran Foroughi said he feared that his father’s friendship with a former British ambassador in Tehran might have caused him trouble. But Iran has not publicly commented on his detention and he has had little access to his lawyer.
The British Foreign Office said it has been aware of the case since 2013 and has provided assistance to the family, but it has not been provided consular access to Foroughi because Iran does not recognize dual nationality and treats him as solely Iranian.
“The foreign secretary raised this case with President Rohani during his visit to Tehran in August, and more recently with Foreign Minister Zarif at the UN, just two weeks ago. We will continue to raise it with the Iranian government at every opportunity, seeking Mr. Foroughi’s release on medical grounds.”
The Guardian said it understands Prime Minister David Cameron also raised the issue at the highest level when he met Iranian authorities.
Foroughi’s son said, “We are very worried about his health and are concerned he may die in prison. He has been waiting for 14 months for a full medical checkup authorized by the Iranian authorities to consider clemency, and we have received no information on the brief medical checks that have been made.”
He said, “My dad is 76 years old and has not seen any of his family for over four years. His wife, two children and two granddaughters all live in the UK.
“For over three years, we had no contact with him. During the last year we have been allowed regular short [telephone] calls with him, for which we are very grateful. However, no written correspondence, photos or videos are allowed. Family or friends cannot visit him. He is one of the oldest and loneliest prisoners in Iran.”
