A British-born environmentalist who was jailed for more than four years in Iran has been released on furlough. Morad Tahbaz, 66, is at his family's home in Iranian capital Tehran, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said on Wednesday.
The wildlife conservationist was allowed out on furlough on the day Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and fellow dual national Anoosheh Ashoori were freed and allowed to return to the UK in March, but he was returned to custody after just two days.
An FCDO spokesperson said: "The Tahbaz family have confirmed Morad has been released from Evin prison on furlough and is at their home in Tehran. Morad is a tri-national and we continue to work closely with the United States to urge the Iranian authorities to permanently release him and allow his departure from Iran."
It is understood that Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has told Mr Tahbaz's family the UK could not secure his full departure from Iran because he is also a US citizen, and Iranian authorities are also having discussions with US counterparts. His daughter Roxanne Tahbaz, who has been campaigning for her father's release for months, in June accused ministers of failing to keep a dialogue open with her about measures being taken to secure his release.
Roxanne Tahbaz has now said in a statement: "I can confirm my father is on a temporary furlough in Iran with an ankle bracelet. I am glad he can be with my mother, who is also in Iran on a travel ban, and that this furlough will allow him to receive the medical attention he urgently needs.
"However, the UK Government's work is unfinished. My father is a UK-born national and he and my mother should have been on the flight with Nazanin (Zaghari-Ratcliffe) and Anoosheh (Ashoori) four months ago. They should be free. Home is not in Iran, home is with their children. As the Foreign Secretary campaigns on a promise of results and delivery to the nation, I hope she will stand by her promise to my family and to my father and ensure his unconditional release."
In March the UK said it had secured Mr Tahbaz's furlough, along with the release and return of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Mr Ashoori. This came after the UK Government finally agreed to settle a £400 million debt to Iran dating back to the rule of the Shah in the 1970s. But two days later Mr Tahbaz was forced to return to Evin prison.
Eilidh Macpherson, Amnesty International UK's individuals at risk campaign manager, said: "This is very encouraging news but we've been here before and we now need to see the UK pressing hard for Morad's full, unconditional release and permission for him to leave Iran along with his wife Vida.
"Back in March when Morad was given a temporary release for just 48 hours, it was clear the Iranian authorities were once again playing cruel games with a British national for diplomatic gain. It goes without saying that Morad should never have been jailed in the first place and it remains a matter of grave concern that British nationals continue to be held arbitrarily by the Iranian authorities like this."
Mr Tahbaz, a prominent conservationist and board member of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, was arrested during a crackdown on environmental activists in January 2018. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with his colleagues on vague charges of spying for the US and undermining Iran's security.
He suffers from several serious health conditions, including a history of cancer, and the Iranian authorities have prevented him from receiving key medical care, according to Amnesty International. His wife has also been placed under a travel ban by the Iranian authorities.
