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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe arrives home after six years detained in Iran
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has arrived home in the UK after her six-year ordeal in Iran was brought to an end on Wednesday.
Boris Johnson praised the work of UK representatives in Iran for their efforts to ensure Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s safe return.
Her husband Richard Ratcliffe, who fought a tenacious battle to secure her release, said it meant “we can stop being a moment in history and start being a normal family again” and together with their daughter Gabriella they were “looking forward to a new life”.
The British-Iranian mother is returning to Britain, along with a second dual national, Anoosheh Ashoori. A third British detainee, Morad Tahbaz, has been released from prison on furlough.
Their release follows months of intensive diplomatic negotiations between London and Tehran.
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Show latest update 1647494011 Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's emotional reunion with daughter
It was an emotional night for the families of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori, who were reunited with their loved ones after years of separation.
The pair touched down on British soil at RAF Brize Norton just after 1 am.
A video shared on social media showed Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe hugging and kissing her seven-year-old daughter while Mr Ashoori’s family sobbed.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 17 March 2022 05:13
1647490861 Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband speaks of joy as British-Iranian mother returns home
The husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is finally looking forward to “a happily ever after” with his wife, as she finally arrived home following her six-year-long ordeal in Iran.
Richard Ratcliffe has not seen his wife Nazanin, 43, since she was detained on spy charges by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) while holidaying in Tehran in April 2016.
Their daughter Gabriella, who is now seven, was with her mother when she was arrested but was eventually brought back to the UK for school. She has not seen her mother since October 2019.
Mr Ratcliffe spoke of the family’s immense relief but also the “uphill battle” ahead to rebuild their lives together. “It hasn’t caught up with me that it’s happened. We had a couple of days of inching closer and closer to her release but not quite being there. So I only believed it when she was taken to the airport,” he explained as Gabriella excitedly talked about her mother’s return.
Bel Trew reports.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband speaks of joy at her return ‘Happily ever after is a journey not an arrival. But we will get there with patience and love’
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 17 March 2022 04:21
1647489785 Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe reunited with family after years
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was reunited with her family after years late on Wednesday. She was pictured with her arms around her seven-year-old daughter along with her husband.
Anoosheh Ashoori, who was also released by Iran, was seen with his family upon landing in the UK.
Foreign secretary Liz Truss tweeted images that showed the British-Iranian nationals meeting their loved ones.“Great to see both Anoosheh and Nazanin in such good spirits. An emotional moment for both families as they welcome them home,” Ms Truss wrote.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 17 March 2022 04:03
1647482247 Liz Truss will ‘continue to work intensively’ for freedom of Morad Tahbaz
Liz Truss added that the government would “continue to work intensively” for the freedom of Morad Tahbaz, who although released from prison remains under effective house arrest in Iran.
The foreign secretary tweeted: “Pleased Morad Tahbaz has been released on furlough and is reunited with his family in Iran, but this is far from sufficient.
“We will continue to work intensively to secure his departure from Iran.”
Tom Batchelor 17 March 2022 01:57
1647481225 Liz Truss ‘delighted’ Nazanin is home
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she was “delighted” that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori were home.
She tweeted: “Delighted that Nazanin and Anoosheh have landed safely in the UK and are reunited with their families and loved ones.
“Welcome home.”
Tom Batchelor 17 March 2022 01:40
1647480691 Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori step foot on British soil
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori have stepped off the plane and are due to meet their families shortly.
The BBC reported that the foreign secretary was at RAF Brize Norton to welcome the two former detainees.
(BBC)
Tom Batchelor 17 March 2022 01:31
1647479812 Plane touches down at RAF Brize Norton
This photo shows the plane carrying Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe arriving at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, after she was freed from detention by Iranian authorities.
(PA)
Tom Batchelor 17 March 2022 01:16
1647479542 BREAKING: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe arrives in UK
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has arrived safely in the UK after being imprisoned in Iran for six years.
The plane carrying Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and fellow detainee Anoosheh Ashoori landed at RAF Brize Norton at 1.10am on Thursday morning.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe arrives in UK to be reunited with husband and daughter Mother-of-one returns to Britain having been in Iran since 2016
Tom Batchelor 17 March 2022 01:12
1647478500 Johnson ‘thrilled’ at Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release
Boris Johnson has hailed the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe by Iran, while downplaying his own role in her six-year-long detention.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the Prime Minister said he was “thrilled” that she would be reunited with her husband, Richard, and daughter, Gabriella.
However he immediately faced questions over comments he made as foreign secretary, which were blamed for exacerbating her plight following her arrest for alleged spying.
Our full report is available here:
Johnson ‘thrilled’ at Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release The PM downplayed comments he made as foreign secretary, which were seen as adding to her difficulties.
Emily Atkinson 17 March 2022 00:55
1647477300 Watch: BBC reporter chokes up as she announces Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is leaving Iran
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BBC reporter chokes up as she announces Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is leaving Iran
Emily Atkinson 17 March 2022 00:35
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