Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

In Pictures: The battle to free Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Here is a look back at the key events.

PA Reporter
Tuesday 15 March 2022 12:08 GMT
Richard Ratcliffe in front of a decorated tree in Fortune Green in West Hampstead, London, in 2018 (John Stillwell/PA)
Richard Ratcliffe in front of a decorated tree in Fortune Green in West Hampstead, London, in 2018 (John Stillwell/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The ordeal of detained British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be a step closer to ending after her passport was returned, sparking hopes she will be freed by authorities in Iran.

Her MP Tulip Siddiq also tweeted that a British negotiating team is in Tehran.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in 2016 on charges of plotting to overthrow the government during a visit to her parents with her young daughter Gabriella – allegations she has always denied.

Here is a look back at key events over the past six years.

During her detention, family and friends in the UK have long campaigned for her freedom.

Mr Ratcliffe has gone on hunger strikes as part of the campaigns to raise awareness of his family’s plight.

The mother-of-one has scarcely seen her daughter throughout her ordeal. After three years with her grandparents, Gabriella, then aged five, was allowed to return to her father in the UK in October 2019.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in