AFTER 2,173 days in detention in Iran, this was the emotional moment Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was finally reunited with her daughter.
The mother, 44, was embraced by seven-year-old Gabriella and her husband Richard after stepping off a government-chartered jet shortly after 1am today. She was joined on the flight from Tehran, via Oman, by British-Iranian father Anoosheh Ashoori, 67, who was also released by Iran yesterday.
There were moving scenes and tears of joy at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire as Gabriella shouted “mummy, mummy" before being scooped up by Mrs. Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
Mr. Ratcliffe's sister said today that the rest of the family hoped to have a reunion, which will involve "lots of crying and hugging", very soon. Rebecca Ratcliffe told ITV: “Seeing that footage of her touching down in the arms of Richard and Gabriella was just really overwhelming. It feels a little bit like Christmas morning, waiting for Santa and then Santa finally arriving." She added: “I just heard from Richard that Gabriella slept in the bed between them all last night. That's a really special moment for all three of them really.” Ms Ratcliffe said she was hoping to be reunited with her sister-in-law at the weekend, but would go at Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's pace.
The family are believed to be staying at a "safe house" for a couple of days while she comes to terms with her newfound freedom.
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Denne historien er fra March 17, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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