Iran stalls again over releasing ‘deflated’ British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe back to the UK

The British mother who has been imprisoned in Iran for the past four years is facing yet another agonising delay before finding out if she can return to the UK.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is said to be ‘deflated’ after a decision on whether to grant her freedom, which was expected yesterday, was postponed a second time.

The mother of one had originally expected an answer last Wednesday, and when she contacted authorities again yesterday, she was told to get back in touch next week.

Her husband Richard told Sky News: ‘Nazanin telephoned the prosecutor’s office and no news, got told to call back again next week.

‘Clearly there’s no decision so we’ll be back in touch again next week to see if there’s any news. She’s obviously a bit deflated, it was a fairly flat call I had with her this morning.

‘It’s been a few of these moments where we were hoping it would happen.’

Because of the Covid-19 outbreak, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 41, is on temporary release from prison and under lockdown at her parents’ home

However, he said that the family ‘remain hopeful and waiting’ and explained: ‘To take a step back, what she’s been told is that she is off prison on furlough, until such time when a decision on clemency is made.’

Because of the Covid-19 outbreak, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 41, is on temporary release from prison and under lockdown at her parents’ home.

She has been detained in Tehran since 2016, after being arrested at the airport while taking her daughter Gabriella, who turns six this month, to see her parents.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was sentenced to five years in prison, accused of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government, which she vehemently denies.

She was later given diplomatic protection by the British Government, which also argues that she is innocent.