The hug that says 2,173 days of hell are OVER: Freed Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe embraces daughter Gabriella and tells delighted supporters 'You have made us whole' - minutes after landing back in the UK having been held captive in Iran since 2016
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ranian-prisoner-touches-RAF-Brize-Norton.html
Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and fellow detainee Anousheh Ashoori landed in UK after journey from Tehran via Oman.
There had been nervousness about situation, with the pair not considered free until they were on the plane
British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe broke down in tears as she was reunited with her seven-year-old daughter just minutes after landing back on British soil following almost six years of detention in Iran.
The charity worker embraced daughter Gabriella and husband Richard Ratcliffe, whose relentless campaigning since 2016 helped secure his wife's freedom, bringing a close to her momentous journey back home to the UK.
The mother-of-one left Iran with fellow British-Iranian Anoosheh Ashoori, 67, on Wednesday after their release was secured.
In an emotional video shared by Mr Ashoori's daughter Elika, they can be seen tearfully hugging ecstatic family members only minutes after landing back in the UK.
Seven-year-old Gabby shouted 'Mummy' before running to meet Nazanin who burst into tears as she entered the building before Richard joined them for a poignant reunion which lasted for more than an hour at the base.
In a message shared online, the Zaghari-Ratcliffe family said: 'No place like home. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, to all of the care and campaigning, and diplomatic efforts. You have made us whole.'
It is understood the families are being put up in Government-supported accommodation for the night.
The plane touched down at RAF Brize Norton at 1.08am following an eight-hour flight from Oman. Prior to that, the British nationals had boarded a flight from Tehran, where Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was first detained six years ago.
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Mr Ashoori, who was locked up in Evin prison for almost five years, were accused of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government and of spying respectively, which they have consistently and vigorously denied.
A third British detainee, Morad Tahbaz, has been released from prison on furlough but remains in Iran.
Nazanin's husband Richard Ratcliffe said he was 'deeply grateful' for her release and that he and their daughter Gabriella were 'looking forward to a new life'. He said she had asked for him to make her a cup of tea on her arrival home.
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe departed the plane first, followed by Mr Ashoori, before the pair walked down the steps away from the aircraft together.
The British-Iranian mother waved at cameras as she walked into a reception building at the Oxfordshire airport, while Mr Ashoori, who was carrying a magazine, gave a salute.
After finally leaving Tehran, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and fellow detainee Anousheh Ashoori arrived at Muscat in Oman at about 3.30pm UK time yesterday before travelling to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on a Titan Airways Boeing jet which was chartered privately by the UK Government.
Their release follows months of intensive diplomatic negotiations between London and Tehran, including the eventual payment of an outstanding £400 million debt owed by Britain to the regime.
Foreign secretary Liz Truss, who is at RAF Brize Norton for their Foreign secretary Liz Truss, who is at RAF Brize Norton for their arrival, said on Twitter: 'Delighted that Nazanin and Anoosheh have landed safely in the UK and are reunited with their families and loved ones. Welcome home.'
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Mr Ashoori were initially taken to the Gulf state of Oman, which has been closely involved in the behind-the-scenes negotiations to secure their freedom.
