Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe could face another two “devastating” years apart from her husband and daughter after receiving a new jail term yesterday.
The British mum, who has already spent five years imprisoned in Iran on trumped-up charges, was sentenced to another year plus a one-year travel ban.
She was found guilty of spreading propaganda against the regime.
Husband Richard Ratcliffe said he would be “very worried” if Nazanin had to return to the notorious Evin jail.
He added: “I think there would be a devastating fallout for all of us if she goes back to prison.”
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Charity worker Nazanin, 42, was first arrested in 2016 on false spying charges at Tehran airport after visiting family.
She served the final year of her original term under house arrest and had her ankle tag removed last month, sparking hopes of an imminent return home.
But she was then charged with new offences including taking part in a London protest 12 years ago and giving an interview to the BBC Persian service.
Nazanin was told on March 14 to expect a verdict within seven days and the family was hopeful of an acquittal or suspended term so she could return to her husband and daughter Gabriella, six, in London.
Mr Ratcliffe admitted the latest sentence, which came without warning, was ”worse than I was expecting”.
He said: “Two years is a long time. She should have come home last month.”
No indication has been given as to when the sentence will begin or if it could be merged with the original term.
Nazanin’s lawyer plans to appeal while Mr Ratcliffe believes his wife’s fate is tied up with ongoing talks in Vienna to salvage the Iran nuclear deal.
The state wants economic sanctions against it dropped.
Mr Ratcliffe said: “This is obviously a political signal and bargaining chip.”
Nazanin’s case has also been linked to demands from Iran for Britain to pay back a £400million arms debt, which has been outstanding since 1979 when the UK failed to deliver tanks Iran had ordered.
The court case deciding this matter faced a further delay last week.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said the debt should be honoured.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson added the UK would “redouble” efforts to free the mum, who is suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also called for her immediate release, describing the sentence as “totally inhumane and wholly unjustified”.
