Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s family say they will not rest until mum-of-one is back on British soil

Nazanin’s emotional mother-in-law Barbara Ratcliffe said they had started to believe she would be released this week, but were sceptical due to so many false dawns.
By Andy Crick
Published 16th Mar 2022, 15:42 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Freed Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s chuffed family said they won’t believe her release is real until she is back on British soil.

The mum-of-one from West Hampstead has been held in Iran since 2016 on bogus spying charges, and has not seen daughter Gabriella, seven, since 2019.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

MP Tulip Siddiq tweeted this morning that Nazanin was at Tehran airport to fly home, and later on prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed her release.

Her emotional mother-in-law Barbara Ratcliffe said they had started to believe she would be released this week, but were sceptical due to so many false dawns.

Richard Ratcliffe with Barbara Ratcliffe at a protest for Nazanin’s release in December. Credit: Lynn RuskRichard Ratcliffe with Barbara Ratcliffe at a protest for Nazanin’s release in December. Credit: Lynn Rusk
Richard Ratcliffe with Barbara Ratcliffe at a protest for Nazanin’s release in December. Credit: Lynn Rusk

She described a cloak-and-dagger style series of conversations amongst the family over the last two days.

The 71-year-old - who has been at her son and Nazanin’s husband Richard side during their six year battle - said: “I don’t think any of us are taking it seriously until she is back.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I don’t think we will really have a sigh of relief until we know she is back in the UK.

“I assumed it would happen one day but even this week, it was good news but we were all thinking ‘Is this going to happen’?”

Speaking from her home in Fleet, Hampshire, she added: “On Monday, Richard sent us an email but we weren’t allowed to say anything at all.

“We knew something was happening but we didn't know what.

“We had to keep absolutely quiet.

Family photo of jailed British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella. British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has had her British passport returned, her MP Tulip Siddiq has said, adding that she understands there is a British negotiating team in Tehran where she is being detained. Picture: PAFamily photo of jailed British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella. British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has had her British passport returned, her MP Tulip Siddiq has said, adding that she understands there is a British negotiating team in Tehran where she is being detained. Picture: PA
Family photo of jailed British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella. British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has had her British passport returned, her MP Tulip Siddiq has said, adding that she understands there is a British negotiating team in Tehran where she is being detained. Picture: PA

“Yesterday we heard a bit more then it all went quiet again.

“Then today my husband John said it's happening.

“I was in the kitchen when I found out.

“There it was on the phone, we got a Whatsapp message.”

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe shares a photo of herself on board her flight home to the UK. Credit: Nazanin Zaghari-RatcliffeNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe shares a photo of herself on board her flight home to the UK. Credit: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe shares a photo of herself on board her flight home to the UK. Credit: Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

She added: “Richard is trying to keep everything together

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I hope to see Nazanin as soon as possible, as soon as I can.

“I think she will need a little bit of time to acclimatise.

“But it is going to be absolutely wonderful.”

Husband Richard has undergone two 21-day hunger strikes in protest at Nazanin’s incarceration.

He said the first thing he wanted to do when Nazanin got home was to have a cup of tea together.

She posted a photo on the plane from Tehran.

Nazanin will land at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, after flying home via Oman.

Related topics:Boris JohnsonIranNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.