Latest news with #British-Iranian
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
I spent four years in Iran's Evin Prison, but strength has come from it
The retired civil engineer, now 71, had been visiting his mum in the north of Tehran when he was suddenly arrested and imprisoned having been falsely accused of spying for Israel's Mossad Intelligence agency, despite having lived in the UK for 20 years. He spent nearly five years in the jail in foul conditions, facing long hours of interrogation and threats, which eventually drove him to attempt to take his own life three times. But through his own and his family's perseverance and determination, he has lived to tell the tale. In March 2022, Ashoori was released from Evin Prison alongside fellow British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. READ MORE: Glasgow arts centre temporarily closes after pro-Palestine protest Their release followed months of intensive diplomatic negotiations between London and Tehran and the repaying of a debt owed by the UK to Iran. The UK paid £393.8m owed to Iran after it cancelled an order for British-made Chieftain tanks following the overthrow of the Shah in the revolution of 1979. Now dad-of-two Ashoori will be sharing his incredible story with the people of Scotland at an exhibition accounting his experiences in Perth, run by the local Amnesty International group. Ashoori told The National he wanted to convey some crucial messages in the account of his ordeal and remind people that what happened to him could have happened to anyone. 'If we as the British public are indifferent to the things that are happening around us, it will come and knock at our door,' he said. 'So we should be vigilant. I was an ordinary person, I was living my own life, and I was involved with engineering, my main hobby was astronomy, nothing to do with politics and I fell into this trap. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. 'My other message is that there are two golden rules for victory; golden rule number one is always remember that perseverance pays off, as it did for me. Golden rule number two is never forget golden rule number one. (Image: Amnesty International) 'It was because of perseverance by my family that I am now here. Otherwise I would be among my friends who are now being transferred from Evin prison after that attack to a far worse prison in south of Tehran. Their life has turned from hell, to triple hell." Evin Prison came under attack by Israel earlier this week amid strikes elsewhere in Tehran. The exhibition at St John's Kirk in Perth – devised by Ashoori himself with the support of Amnesty International – will recreate the emotional and physical reality of his detention and will feature personal items Ashoori was able to smuggle out of Tehran's notorious Evin prison after his release. It will feature a reconstruction of his arrest, the crowded conditions in cockroach- and bedbug-infested communal cells, and how the inspiration of hoping to run the London marathon after his release helped Ashoori cope with his time in jail. It is miraculous he is now able to share this story of resolve and courage when a few years before, he had been in solitary confinement, with a floodlight beaming down onto his head 24 hours a day and malfunctioning air conditioning. 'All that it could blow was hot air,' he said. READ MORE: Patrick Harvie and Angus Robertson face-off over Israel divestment 'The food was foul, and I could hear very clearly the sound of crying and whimpering of my neighbouring cells. So, there was sleep deprivation, long hours of interrogation trying to force me to make confessions. 'Then came the threats. They had my laptop, and they printed pictures of my family members. They used to come and say, 'look this is your son smiling, next time you're going to have a picture of his corpse'. 'When you are going through that day after day, you reach a threshold. Eventually, because of those pressures and lack of sleep, you tend to believe what they say. 'I reached a point where I reasoned with myself that the only way to protect my family members from harm was not to be. That led to three suicide attempts. Luckily, I survived.' Amid the torture and despair Ashoori was going through, there was glimpses of hope he held onto, through running while in prison and the poetry society he created with other inmates. One of his fellow prisoners opened his eyes to a collection of poems called Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire, which he reflects on regularly in the healthy, happy life he now leads – which has included him living out his dream of running the London Marathon no less than four times. 'After being released, the Anoosheh Ashoori that was so indifferent to all these things became quite active. So many good things emerged, one of them was the London Marathon, of course,' he said. 'The Flowers of Evil collection of poems [taught us] even from the darkest places, goodness can emerge. Strength can emerge. That is what happened.' The Surviving Evin exhibition is running from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, July 6, at St John's Kirk, Perth.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
'I spent four years in Iran's Evin Prison, but strength has come from it'
The retired civil engineer, now 71, had been visiting his mum in the north of Tehran when he was suddenly arrested and imprisoned having been falsely accused of spying for Israel's Mossad Intelligence agency, despite having lived in the UK for 20 years. He spent nearly five years in the jail in foul conditions, facing long hours of interrogation and threats, which eventually drove him to attempt to take his own life three times. But through his own and his family's perseverance and determination, he has lived to tell the tale. In March 2022, Ashoori was released from Evin Prison alongside fellow British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. READ MORE: Glasgow arts centre temporarily closes after pro-Palestine protest Their release followed months of intensive diplomatic negotiations between London and Tehran and the repaying of a debt owed by the UK to Iran. The UK paid £393.8m owed to Iran after it cancelled an order for British-made Chieftain tanks following the overthrow of the Shah in the revolution of 1979. Now dad-of-two Ashoori will be sharing his incredible story with the people of Scotland at an exhibition accounting his experiences in Perth, run by the local Amnesty International group. Ashoori told The National he wanted to convey some crucial messages in the account of his ordeal and remind people that what happened to him could have happened to anyone. 'If we as the British public are indifferent to the things that are happening around us, it will come and knock at our door,' he said. 'So we should be vigilant. I was an ordinary person, I was living my own life, and I was involved with engineering, my main hobby was astronomy, nothing to do with politics and I fell into this trap. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. 'My other message is that there are two golden rules for victory; golden rule number one is always remember that perseverance pays off, as it did for me. Golden rule number two is never forget golden rule number one. (Image: Amnesty International) 'It was because of perseverance by my family that I am now here. Otherwise I would be among my friends who are now being transferred from Evin prison after that attack to a far worse prison in south of Tehran. Their life has turned from hell, to triple hell." Evin Prison came under attack by Israel earlier this week amid strikes elsewhere in Tehran. The exhibition at St John's Kirk in Perth – devised by Ashoori himself with the support of Amnesty International – will recreate the emotional and physical reality of his detention and will feature personal items Ashoori was able to smuggle out of Tehran's notorious Evin prison after his release. It will feature a reconstruction of his arrest, the crowded conditions in cockroach- and bedbug-infested communal cells, and how the inspiration of hoping to run the London marathon after his release helped Ashoori cope with his time in jail. It is miraculous he is now able to share this story of resolve and courage when a few years before, he had been in solitary confinement, with a floodlight beaming down onto his head 24 hours a day and malfunctioning air conditioning. 'All that it could blow was hot air,' he said. READ MORE: Patrick Harvie and Angus Robertson face-off over Israel divestment 'The food was foul, and I could hear very clearly the sound of crying and whimpering of my neighbouring cells. So, there was sleep deprivation, long hours of interrogation trying to force me to make confessions. 'Then came the threats. They had my laptop, and they printed pictures of my family members. They used to come and say, 'look this is your son smiling, next time you're going to have a picture of his corpse'. 'When you are going through that day after day, you reach a threshold. Eventually, because of those pressures and lack of sleep, you tend to believe what they say. 'I reached a point where I reasoned with myself that the only way to protect my family members from harm was not to be. That led to three suicide attempts. Luckily, I survived.' Amid the torture and despair Ashoori was going through, there was glimpses of hope he held onto, through running while in prison and the poetry society he created with other inmates. One of his fellow prisoners opened his eyes to a collection of poems called Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire, which he reflects on regularly in the healthy, happy life he now leads – which has included him living out his dream of running the London Marathon no less than four times. 'After being released, the Anoosheh Ashoori that was so indifferent to all these things became quite active. So many good things emerged, one of them was the London Marathon, of course,' he said. 'The Flowers of Evil collection of poems [taught us] even from the darkest places, goodness can emerge. Strength can emerge. That is what happened.' The Surviving Evin exhibition is running from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, July 6, at St John's Kirk, Perth.
Euronews
4 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
What to do if your flight is affected by the Middle East conflict
Israel's missile attacks on Iran on 13 June and the subsequent retaliations have thrown air travel in the Middle East into chaos. Airspace across Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan has been subject to closures - some ongoing - and thousands of flights have been cancelled or rerouted. Following bombings ordered by President Donald Trump on three Iranian nuclear and military sites over the weekend, Iran on Monday launched a missile attack on US forces at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. Qatar had closed its airspace just hours earlier, after both the US and UK urged their citizens there to shelter in place. Flights have been cancelled to Dubai International Airport and Doha's Hamad International Airport, with thousands of passengers left stranded or rerouted to other destinations. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport is closed until further notice, and major carriers including Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France, United, and Delta have suspended flights to the region. If you have a trip planned to affected countries, here's what you need to know about travel insurance and passenger rights. You can find full information about airspace closures and cancelled flights here. What is the latest government advice for travelling to the Middle East? The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a string of advisories on Friday, 13 June, warning travellers visiting Middle Eastern and North African destinations about rising tensions in the region. It included popular tourist destinations such as Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. "Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region," the UK FCDO said. Warnings were also issued for Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Travellers have been told to 'monitor local and international media for the latest information' and 'be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities'. The UK FCDO has now advised against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories amid ongoing missile attacks. The FCDO also advises against all travel to Iran, warning that "British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention". Foreign ministries in other European countries, including France and Germany, have also issued similar warnings against travel to Israel and Iran. The FCDO updated its advice for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, warning that the conflict could result in short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts. It also noted that the US has now lifted the advice to shelter in place in Qatar, issued to its citizens on 23 June. "British nationals do not need to shelter in place and should continue to follow advice from the local authorities," it added. What are my passenger rights if I have a trip planned to the Middle East? If you were planning to travel to the region, you do have some options to get your money back or reschedule your flight. 'For anyone who was hoping to travel to the region over the coming weeks and months, as it has been deemed unsafe to travel, it's likely that airlines will cancel the flight and offer an alternative,' says Ernesto Suarez, CEO of travel insurance provider Gigasure. This usually means you can choose between travelling on a different flight or receiving a refund. British Airways, for example, has said passengers with bookings to Dubai and Doha up to Tuesday 24 June can postpone their trips up to 4 July by calling the airline. 'However, passengers must be aware that as this is a disruption outside of airlines' control, they may not be entitled to any compensation,' Suarez adds. The exception is if you receive less than 14 days' notice of cancellation, in which case you may be able to claim compensation. Travellers with adequate travel insurance should have financial protection if all, or part of, their trip is delayed, cancelled, or cut short due to the airstrikes. 'If the customer bought extended travel disruption cover, they should be covered for the abandonment of their trip and/or additional costs if they must move accommodation or extend their stay,' Suarez says. 'Customers should check their policy wording for full details.'' What are my rights if I am stuck in Doha or Dubai? If you have already flown to the region and are now stranded in Doha or Dubai, you are entitled to support from the airline. This should include meals and accommodation if necessary. The airline is also obligated to rebook you on the next possible flight, including with another carrier. When it comes to travel insurance, Suarez says passengers whose return is affected by the flight cancellations should contact their airline to determine their options. "You may find that travel insurance is automatically extended until you can return home," he adds. "Travellers should check their policy documents to ascertain what cover they may or may not have.' Am I covered by travel insurance if I travel to Iran or Israel? Foreign offices warn that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against their advice. This means going to areas where they have issued a 'no-go' warning or advise against all but essential travel. That currently covers both Iran and Israel. If you do so, you are likely to be left without coverage for incidents, including medical emergencies and evacuations. It may also mean that if you are arrested or put in detention, your country's embassy or officials have limited ability to help you. If you have booked with a travel agent or tour operator, contact the company directly to understand your options. My flight was cancelled to Israel. How can I get back? For travellers stranded overseas and looking for a way to return to Israel, the nation's flag carrier El Al is reportedly planning one-way 'recovery flights' from several destinations. The airline said in a statement that it is finalising the list of destinations and the number of flights that it can operate. 'Currently, registration is open for customers whose flights to Israel are cancelled since the closure of Israeli airspace and who are currently abroad,' it said. 'Once registration is approved, customers will be contacted via email or text message with updates, including instructions and flight assignments, subject to government approval to operate the flights.' The carrier added that recovery flights will be operated gradually. 'We recommend preparing for extended stays and keeping receipts for accommodation and related expenses,' it advised. 'Eligibility for reimbursement will be reviewed in accordance with legal guidelines.' EU countries organise evacuations for citizens in Israel Several European countries have been evacuating their citizens from Israel. Poland has said it will transport around 200 nationals by bus to Jordan, from where they will fly to Warsaw. The Czech Foreign Ministry has advised citizens who are interested in repatriation to report to the embassy in Tel Aviv. According to Czech media, 70 nationals have already travelled to a neighbouring country where they will then catch a flight home. Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre began citizen evacuations by land last week. Germany has evacuated citizens from Israel via Jordan's capital, Amman, to meet charter flights. 'Germans in Israel who are registered on the Elefand crisis preparedness list have been informed about this option and the details,' a spokesperson said. Cyprus has received requests to assist in the evacuation of citizens of Portugal and Slovakia, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said last week. 'There are two active requests,' Kombos said, as reported by Reuters. 'Obviously this very much depends on the access of their civilians to neighbouring countries by road.' The EU has also triggered measures to assist with evacuations. "We have activated the Civil Protection Mechanism (CPM), and we are assisting member states to evacuate their citizens who wish to leave," the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said after an emergency meeting of foreign ministers on Tuesday.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Evin Prison: Why Israel struck Iran's most infamous jail
Israel on Monday said it hit multiple locations in Iran, including the Evin Prison in Tehran and the Security headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The country's most feared detention centre is referred to as the 'black hole' of the justice system. But why is Tel Aviv singling out the jail, infamous for its treatment of inmates? read more Israel has hit Iran's most infamous prison on Monday. Israel said it hit multiple locations including the Evin Prison and the Security headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Tel Aviv also said it struck roads surrounding Iran's Fordo enrichment facility. This came a day after the United States conducted strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran. But what happened? And what do we know about the Evin Prison in Tehran? Let's take a closer look: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What do we know about Evin Prison? The prison is located in Iran's capital Tehran. Read latest updates about America joining Israel-Iran war here. It is run by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and the IRCG – which reports directly to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Spanning over five hectares, it is said to hold between 10,000 and 15,000 inmates. It is infamous for mistreatment of its inmates who include political prisoners, foreigners and dual nationals. It was built in 1971 in the foothills of northern Tehran prior to the Islamic revolution that toppled the Shah of Iran. The Shah also used it to hold thousands of political prisoners – many of whom were tortured and killed. The prison at the time was operated by the Savak – the Shah's secret police. In 1988, after the revolution, thousands of people were executed at the Evin Prison after show trials. The people who have been imprisoned there have long alleged torture and abuse. Evin Prison was built in 1971 under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, also known as the Shah of Iran. Wikimedia Commons Anoosheh Ashoori, a British-Iranian businessman, was visiting his mother in Iran when he was arrested by authorities on charges of spying for Israel. 'The situation in hall 12 was extremely dire. We struggled with bed bugs, cockroaches, huge rats, and foul food,' Ashoori told DW. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He added that up to 70 people lived in just four rooms in hall 12. Ashoori alleged 'psychological torture' at the hands of the authorities. 'I had one main interrogator, but most of the time, I could feel the presence of others in those small interrogation rooms,' he said. 'They were making threats that they would harm my family members,' he added. Ashoori was only released after the UK government paid Iran a hefty sum. Lebanese businessman Nizar Zakka had a similar experience. He too spent four years at Evin after being accused of spying – but for the United States. Zakka was in ward 7 which had around 20 people in a room that measured five square metres. 'The interrogator came every six weeks, asking if I had anything to say, and I'd say no, and I would be sent back.' Zakka, unlike Ashoori, was physically tortured. 'When you don't answer their questions, they make you stand or sit in an uncomfortable position until you get tired and faint… Then they start walking around talking to each other, and step on your hand,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He was only released after years of campaigning – and a request from Lebanese President Michel Aoun. Those considered political prisoners – charged with 'spreading corruption on Earth' and 'enmity against God' often have a much tougher time of it than regular inmates. According to Amnesty International, prisoners at Evin have suffered beatings, electric shock, and sexual humiliation at the hands of authorities. Nargess Mohammadi, a Nobel laureate, is among those who has accused guards and interrogators of sexual assault. Evin Prison in northern Tehran. Image courtesy: X According to Human Rights Watch, sensory deprivation is another tactic authorities at the prison's ward 209 often employ against inmates. Maziar Bahari, an Iranian-Canadian documentarian and Narges Mohammadi (who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023) were among the other famous people that were housed in Evin. Mohammadi has been released temporarily in order to receive medical care. Jason Rezaian of the Washington Post and dual nationals like the 'Bahá'í 7' have also been held at Evin. Canadian journalist Zahra Kazemi died at 2003 in Evin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Those running the prison have been targeted by both the United States and the European Union. What happened? Why has Iran targeted Evin Prison? Iranian state TV said an airstrike hit the gate of Evin Prison. The report shared what appeared to be black-and-white-surveillance footage of the strike. Israel is likely choosing targets like Evin Prison – a symbol of the regime – to put pressure on the Iranian authorities. 'The Iranian dictator will be punished with full force for attacking the Israeli home front,' the Israeli defence ministry said. According to The Guardian, human rights lawyer Mohammed Najafi, activist Reza Khandan are among those detained in the prison. Some prisoners have reportedly been hurt in Israel's airstrike. But Iran's Nournews said that families of detainees in Evin prison 'should know they are safe'. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. File image/ Reuters Israel has also targeted Tehran's Palestine Square, and the paramilitary Basij volunteer corps building. This comes as more and more officials in the US including President Donald Trump are calling for 'regime change' in Tehran. 'If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' Trump wrote on social media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran described its Monday attack on Israel as a new wave of its Operation 'True Promise 3,' saying it was targeting the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television. Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem. There were no immediate reports of damage. Earlier Monday, Iranian General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of joint staff of armed forces, warned Washington its strikes had given Iranian forces a 'free hand " to 'act against US interests and its army.' Tens of thousands of American troops are based in West Asia, many in locations within range of short-range Iranian missiles. With inputs from agencies
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Close your eyes and…': Robotic voices answer calls to Iran as families abroad struggle to reach loved ones
When Ellie, a British-Iranian living in the United Kingdom, tried to call her mother in Tehran, she heard a robotic voice instead. The voice said: 'Alo? Alo? Who is calling?' It then added, 'I can't heard you. Who you want to speak with? I'm Alyssia. Do you remember me? I think I don't know who are you.' Ellie, 44, is one of several Iranians living abroad who have heard strange, robotic voices when trying to call family in Iran since Israeli airstrikes began over a week ago, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The callers spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity or using only first names, as they fear putting their families in danger. Experts who listened to recordings shared with AP suggested the messages might be pre-recorded or made by simple artificial intelligence. Calls from abroad could be getting diverted. Four experts believed Iran's government was behind the messages, while one thought Israel was responsible. The strange messages have unsettled Iranians trying to reach their families. Israel's attacks have targeted military and nuclear sites, while Iran has fired missiles and drones in return. The Iranian government has also imposed a large internet blackout, saying it is needed for security. 'I don't know why they're doing this,' Ellie told AP. Her mother, who lives outside Tehran and has diabetes, is low on insulin. Ellie wants her mother to leave the city but cannot reach her directly. A woman in New York described it as 'psychological warfare.' She told AP: 'Calling your mum and hearing an AI voice is one of the most scary things I've ever experienced.' Some messages are even stranger. A woman in the UK shared with AP a recording where a voice said, 'Thank you for taking the time to listen. Life is full of unexpected surprises. These can bring joy or challenge us.' Others said their calls just rang and rang with no answer. Colin Crowell, a former Twitter executive, said it looked like Iranian phone companies were diverting calls to default systems. Amir Rashidi, an Iranian cybersecurity expert in the US, said the messages match government tactics to control communications. 'It would be hard for anybody else to hack,' added Mehdi Yahyanejad, an internet freedom activist. He said Israel would have little reason to do this. Some Iranians abroad have found ways to contact relatives. Ellie managed by using someone near the Iran-Turkey border who called her mother on an Iranian phone and held it next to a Turkish phone so Ellie could listen in. 'The last time we spoke to her, we told her about the AI voice,' Ellie said. 'She was shocked. She said her phone hasn't rung at all.' Others, like M. in the UK, feel helpless. When she calls her mother-in-law in Tehran, she hears a message saying, 'Close your eyes and picture yourself in a place that brings you peace and happiness.' 'The only feeling it gives me is helplessness,' she told AP.
