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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Bradley Jolly

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's daughter, 5, arrives back in UK after 3 years in Iran

The five-year-old daughter of a British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran has finally arrived back in the UK.

Little Gabriella Zaghari-Ratcliffe spent the last three and a half years living in Iran with her grandparents.

But now it is thought she can start primary school in the UK and spend Christmas here with her dad, who hasn't seen her for years.

"Gabriella came back to us late at night, a bit uncertain seeing those she only remembered from the phone," dad Richard Ratcliffe said.

"Now she is peacefully sleeping next to me. And I am just watching."

He added: "It has been a long journey to have her home, with bumps right until the end - and I am grateful to all those at the British Embassy and Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs who helped smooth all those last blockages."

Richard Ratcliffe was reunited with his five-year-old daughter Gabriella (PA)
Gabriella has been living in Iran for years (PA)

"It was a hard goodbye for Nazanin and all her family. But let us hope this homecoming unlocks another."

The youngster has only been allowed to see mum Nazanin in the notorious Evin Prison when the Iranian authorities would allow.

Nazanin was jailed in 2016 for allegedly plotting to topple the regime, but has always maintained her innocence and said the charges are trumped up.

Labour's Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, London, said: "It is heart-warming to see Gabriella reunited with her father after 1,300 days in Iran, but heart-breaking that she is separated from her mother Nazanin.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is still in prison in Iran (PA)
Iranian women inmates sit at their cell in the infamous jail (AFP/Getty Images)

"Nazanin is at breaking point, and today is yet another reminder that she has been failed at the very highest levels of government."

Ms Siddiq called on Iran to end its "hostage diplomacy" and release Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years in jail after being accused of spying, which she vehemently denies.

Since then, husband Richard has been campaigning for the mum to be freed.

Footage shows arrest of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
Nazanin has spent several Christmases in the jail (Daily Mirror)
Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe and Richard Ratcliffe in happier times (The Free Nazanin campaign)

In a letter smuggled out of jail recently, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe wrote: "I have no hope or motivation after my baby goes.

"There is no measure to my pain. In the near future, my baby will leave me to go to her father and start school in the UK.

"It will be a daunting trip for her travelling and me left behind."

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