Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has ended her three-day hunger strike following a decision by Iranian prison authorities to grant her medical treatment.
The former charity worker and her fellow prisoner, Narges Mohammadi, called the strike after allegedly being denied healthcare by Iranian authorities.
Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband claimed that she had not been granted medical attention for lumps in her breasts, severe neck pain, and numbness in her arms and legs.
Following intense pressure from international bodies such as the UN and the UK Foreign Secretary, alongside negotiations between the prison authorities and Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s lawyer, Nazanin was granted permission to receive treatment at Iranmehr Hospital.
She is currently awaiting the results of the medical checks.
The 40-year-old had told her husband that as a result of the strike, she had lost 3kg in weight and suffered from constant headaches, dizziness and nausea.
Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe admitted that she was surprised at the speed of her deterioration, and said that her cellmates had commented on how pale she had become.
She also noted that the psychological challenges had been immense as she endured sleepless, restless nights throughout her strike.
Her husband, Richard Radcliffe, said, “The past few days have been really stressful. I never thought three days could pass so long.
“I am really glad this is over – I am still sorry it came to this, that Nazanin felt there was no other way. But I hope now those permissions mean that Nazanin will now get the medical attention she needs.”
“Thanks to all the care and attention from everyone in the media, all the solidarity messages from the public, from politicians and experts at the UN, and for everyone else who shone a spotlight on Nazanin’s and Narges’ pain, and whose care caused this permission for treatment.”
On January 14, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt summoned the Iranian Ambassador to London to demand immediate access to healthcare for Nazanin.
On Twitter, he described the situation as “totally unacceptable” and a “fundamental breach of human rights”.
Mr Ratcliffe thanked Mr Hunt for his efforts, stating: “Especial thanks goes to Jeremy Hunt for summoning the Ambassador on this issue, and for making it clear – that he will stand up for basic rights, and for common values.”
Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was on holiday visiting her family in Iran when she was detained at the airport by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on April 3, just before she was due to depart to the UK.
The dual UK-Iranian citizen was placed in solitary confinement for 46 days and has since been held in the notorious Elvin Prison, separated from her husband and her daughter, Gabriella.
