Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s five-year-old daughter arrives back in the UK after spending more than three years in Iran

THE five-year-old daughter of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has arrived back in the UK after spending more than three years in Iran.

Gabriella was living with her grandparents and would visit her British-Iranian mum in the notorious Evin Prison after she was accused of spying and locked up.

Her mum was arrested in Tehran in 2016 and sentenced to five years but has always denied the charge.

Heartwarming pictures show the youngster embracing her dad Richard Ratcliffe after touching down in the UK last night.

Mr Ratcliffe said: “Gabriella came back to us late at night, a bit uncertain seeing those she only remembered from the phone.

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

“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 MFA who helped smooth all those last blockages.

“Of course the job is not yet done until Nazanin is home.

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

Labour’s Tulip Siddiq said it’s “heart-warming” to see the girl back home with her father.

She 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 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.

Mr Ratcliffe, from Hampstead, North London, has been campaigning for his wife’s release and Nazanin has pleaded with the Iranian authorities to release her.
She recently told how she would have “no hope or motivation” left after Gabriella returned to the UK to start school in the capital.