Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe arrives home in UK – follow live

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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: From arrest to release

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.

Key PointsShow latest update 1647482247Liz 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 Batchelor17 March 2022 01:57

1647481225Liz 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.

Tom Batchelor17 March 2022 01:40

1647480691Nazanin 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 Batchelor17 March 2022 01:31

1647479812Plane 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 Batchelor17 March 2022 01:16

1647479542BREAKING: 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.

Tom Batchelor17 March 2022 01:12

1647478500Johnson ‘thrilled’ at Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release

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:

Emily Atkinson17 March 2022 00:55

1647477300Watch: BBC reporter chokes up as she announces Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is leaving Iran

BBC reporter chokes up as she announces Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is leaving Iran

Emily Atkinson17 March 2022 00:35

1647475800’This all could have been prevented,’ says Anoosheh Ashoori’s daughter

Anoosheh Ashoori’s daughter has said that the payment of the IMS debt to Iran should have been settled ‘a long time ago’ to prevent her father and others being taken.

His 35-year-old daughter, Elika, told Channel 4 News: “You can’t imagine how many nights we’ve wondered why this debt hasn’t been paid, and why is it there is only focus and attention on this now with the current political situation in the world.

“Before, it was just about two or three individuals and we didn’t really matter.

She continued: “It is very frustrating and it should have been done a long time ago, not just to prevent Nazanin and my dad from being taken, but the people who were taken after my dad who are still there.

“This all could have been prevented.”

Emily Atkinson17 March 2022 00:10

1647474131Payment of IMS debt a ‘real game changer’ in Nazanin’s release, says lawyer

Penny Madden QC who has worked closely with the Ratcliffe family has said the last few days waiting for news of Nazanin’s release “have been a real seesaw of emotion”.

Speaking to the BBC’s Newsnight programme, she said: “There was some hope that Nazanin would be on a plane by yesterday evening. But that was not to be.

“I don’t think anybody could allow themselves to really believe that this was happening until Nazanin was on the plane. There was an anxious wait where we didn’t know quite what was going on at the airport. We knew that she was at the airport, but still there was nothing official in terms of her being allowed to board the plane.”

When asked who she thinks should most be credited for the result, Ms Madden replied: “Ultimately, its very difficult to know what the catalyst has been in moving things forward, but what we have been clear on is the payment of the IMS debt.

“So, clearly, whoever made that decision was a real game changer.”

Emily Atkinson16 March 2022 23:42

1647472713Anoosheh Ashoori’s children look forward to ‘extraordinary’ moment after release

The children of Anoosheh Ashoori have said their first conversation with their father after he returns home from Iran will be an “extraordinary” moment when “our suffering is going to end”.

Dual national Mr Ashoori, 68, a retired civil engineer, was arrested in August 2017 while visiting his elderly mother in Tehran, and held in Evin prison.

During his time in detention, he was subjected to torture and a catalog of inhumane experiences, according to Amnesty International UK.

The full story is available here:

Emily Atkinson16 March 2022 23:18

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