Richard Ratcliffe
Richard Ratcliffe is a British campaigner known for his advocacy efforts for the release of his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained in Iran for five years on charges related to espionage. He gained international attention for his hunger strikes and public demonstrations calling for her freedom, which culminated in her release in March 2022. Following her release, Ratcliffe has continued to speak out against the detention of British nationals in Iran, urging the UK government to act more swiftly in similar cases.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Richard Ratcliffe fought a public campaign that involved two hunger strikes to have his wife freed from Iran.
Jail sentence for British couple in Iran ‘totally unjustifiable’, says foreign secretary | Iran
United Kingdom· 2026-02-19
Richard Ratcliffe told the BBC the government should have learned lessons from his wife's detention, urging it to take 'serious measures'.
UK government urged to step-up efforts to return couple jailed in IranUnited Kingdom· 2025-11-25Richard Ratcliffe desperately campaigned to have his wife Nazanin released, meeting politicians and gathering petitions.
the best new shows to watch, starting tonight – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2025-11-23
Richard Ratcliffe held a press conference and amassed 780,000 signatures on a petition for his wife Nazanin's release.
‘She was extremely petrified’: the shocking drama about one woman’s six-year ordeal in an Iranian jail | DramaUnited Kingdom· 2025-11-13
Richard Ratcliffe is a campaigner calling on the government to change its travel advice to Egypt.
Must Laila Soueif die from her hunger strike in London before her son Alaa Abd el-Fattah is released? | Helena KennedyUnited Kingdom· 2025-06-03
Richard Ratcliffe commented on the injustice faced by families like his and Alaa Abd el-Fattah's due to arbitrary detention.
Egypt illegally detaining Alaa Abd el-Fattah, UN investigators find | EgyptUnited Kingdom· 2025-05-28
Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, has spoken out about the need for government action to protect citizens.
Former prisoners and hostages urge Starmer to secure release of Jimmy Lai | Jimmy LaiUnited Kingdom· 2025-05-21
Richard Ratcliffe, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband, called on UK ministers to act regarding his wife's case.
British motorcycling couple detained in Iran charged with espionage | UK newsUnited Kingdom· 2025-02-18
Richard Ratcliffe commented on the Foreign Office's travel advice regarding risks in Iran.
Iran charges detained Britons Craig and Lindsay Foreman with espionageUnited Kingdom· 2025-02-18
Richard Ratcliffe criticized the government for not acting promptly to help the Foremans, drawing parallels to his wife's situation.
Tourists warned after British couple’s arrest
Australia· 2025-02-17
Richard Ratcliffe has called on ministers to act more promptly to help free his wife after Iran detained a British couple.
UK must act more promptly over latest Iran detentions, says Richard Ratcliffe | Foreign policyUnited Kingdom· 2025-02-16
