The plight of two Barnet residents who were thrown into an Iranian jail one year ago this week has been marked by family, friends and the MPs who have supported the fight for their release.

One year after the arrest of Ebrahim Khodabandeh, 51, from Barnet, and Jamil Bassam, 50, of Hendon, a Westminster press conference last Thursday (May 13) was used to announce that the daughter of Mr Khodabandeh is to visit her father this June, along with MP Win Griffiths, chairman of a parliamentary committee campaigning for their release, who will also visit Mr Bassam.

The event was attended by Mr Khodabandeh's wife, Elaheh Azimfar, Chipping Barnet MP Sir Syndey Chapman, Finchley & Golders Green MP Dr Rudi Vis, and Mr Griffiths.

Both refugees had lived in Barnet for 30 years when they were arrested during a trip to Syria last April and moved to an Iranian jail.

Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Nicholson, who visited the men in prison, said they were likely to be charged with carrying US$1million to finance what the Iranian authorities regard as terrorist groups.

Dr Vis said: "I am very delighted the men will be visited. That is fantastic.

"I am convinced that all meetings are known to them the Iranian Regime. I am also convinced that, come the visit, whoever visits them will see what they the Iranian Regime want them to see.

"There will be control by prison guards, so it will almost look like the Hilton. But they are not in the Hilton. We must remember that when we have our next meeting to discuss the news they have covertly or overtly given to us."

Sir Sydney said: "I want to express my support and solidarity with both Ebrahim and Jamil. We Dr Vis and I will not give up."

Ms Azimfar thanked those who had helped with the campaign, but pleaded for renewed pressure on the Foreign Office.

"Our campaign would continue with the objective of the immediate release and unconditional return of Ebrahim and Jamil to the UK.

"I hope that I would have the privilege of your support until we get there," she said.