The appeal by a British couple sentenced to prison in Iran has been rejected, prompting the Foreign Office to summon the Iranian ambassador in London in a formal protest. The couple, whose identities remain protected due to diplomatic sensitivities, were convicted on charges widely seen as baseless by Western governments. Their legal team had argued procedural irregularities and a lack of evidence, but the Iranian judiciary upheld the original verdict.
The Foreign Office statement described the decision as 'wrongful' and called for immediate consular access and their release. The summoning of the ambassador underscores the deterioration in UK-Iran relations, already strained by nuclear negotiations and Tehran's regional activities. British officials warn that the case could have repercussions for dual nationals travelling to Iran, with travel advisories likely to be updated.
No timeline for further diplomatic action has been given, but sources indicate that the UK is exploring multilateral pressure through the UN. The couple's family expressed devastation at the ruling, urging the international community to intervene.
