Iran confirms five-year prison sentence for British mother despite husband's campaign

Credit: Richard Ratcliffe

A British-Iranian mother held in Iran since last year has had her five-year jail sentence confirmed despite her husband's campaign to bring her home.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was held by police while trying to leave the country with her baby daughter, Gabriella, in April 2016.

A five-year prison sentence 'on security charges' was today finalised, according to Iranian news agency Mizanonline.ir, which is affiliated with the country's judiciary.

Richard Ratcliffe takes part in vigil outside the Iranian Embassy Credit: PA Images

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who works for the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, had her passport seized and as Iran does not recognise dual nationality, consular assistance is limited.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe's parents were said to be in "deep shock" at the decision.

They had received private reassurances they matter would be resolved, according to a statement issued by her husband Richard Ratcliffe after the decision.

Mr Ratcliffe once described the sentence as a "punishment without a crime".

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested at Imam Khomeini airport and had been accused of "plotting to topple the Iranian regime" but no further details have been given.

PM Theresa May made a personal appeal to the Iranian president to resolve the case in a phone call in August 2016.