David Cameron intervenes in case of British grandfather Kamal Foroughi 'facing death' in Iranian jail

Prime Minister writes to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani urging him to show leniency to 76-year-old businessman

The British Grandfathers family have suggested he “may die” in prison. (Foroughi Family)

David Cameron has personally intervened in the case of a 76-year-old British grandfather who has been locked up in one of Iran’s most notorious jails for almost five years on charges of espionage, after his family suggested he “may die” in prison.

The Prime Minister has written to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani urging him to show leniency to businessman Kamal Foroughi, who is only half way through an eight-year sentence. He has been held at Evin prison near Tehran since May 2011, when he was arrested at his home as he entertained friends with his wife.

The Foreign Office has been aware of Mr Foroughi’s case for more than two years and has grown “very concerned” about his health. He was given his first medical examination last month – 1,658 days after he was first arrested – but neither he nor his family have been given the results.

The dual British-Iranian was working in Tehran as a consultant for the Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas when he was arrested by plain clothes police officers. Human rights groups and his family have raised concerns that he did not receive a fair trial and was frequently denied access to a lawyer.

Mr Foroughi’s son Kamran, 40, told The Independent that the rest of his family did not want to travel to Iran for fear being detained themselves. He is only able to speak to his father once a week by telephone, and has taught himself Farsi because speaking English is not permitted by the prison guards.

“We have no sense whatsoever of if and when this may ever come to an end,” he said. “He’s 76 years old and we’re very worried about his health. It’s not clear to me how long he’s going to live for, and obviously we’re all very worried that he’ll die in prison if he isn’t cared for properly.”

The nature of the espionage charges levelled against Mr Foroughi remains unclear, but his family believes he may have aroused suspicion by regularly travelling to the UK and having British friends. Iran does not recognise Mr Foroughi’s dual nationality, so British consular staff are unable to visit him in prison.

In response to a written question in the House of Lords earlier this week, Human Rights Minister Baroness Anelay of St Johns revealed that Mr Cameron had personally intervened in the case following representations from the Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond.

A spokesman for the FCO said: “We are very concerned for Mr Foroughi’s health and have raised this with the Iranian authorities on repeated occasions, urging them to provide regular medical assistance and access to a lawyer.

“We have been in regular contact with his family since we were first made aware of his situation in May 2013 and Middle East Minister Tobias Ellwood has met with his son to discuss the case directly. However Iran does not recognise dual nationality and as such is not granting us consular access.

“The Foreign Secretary has personally raised this case with Iran’s President Rouhani in Tehran and also with their Foreign Minister Zarif. We will continue to raise it with the Iranian Government at every opportunity, seeking Mr Foroughi’s release on medical grounds.”

A petition to free Mr Foroughi on the website Change.org has so far been signed by more than 78,000 people. Kathy Voss, urgent action co-ordinator at the human rights group Amnesty International, said signs suggested his health was “deteriorating” and that he may be in need of “specialist care” outside prison.