In Pictures: The six-year battle to free Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Richard Ratcliffe in front of a decorated tree in Fortune Green in West Hampstead, London, in 2018. Credit: PA

British-Iranian mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has returned to British soil after spending more than five years in Iranian captivity.

An emotional reunion video shared on social media showed the homecoming as Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe hugged and kissed her young daughter.

She 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.

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

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

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on flight home from Iran after six years in captivity
Who is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe? Timeline of British mother's fight for freedom
In April 2017, her husband Richard Ratcliffe, tied ribbons and messages of support to a tree to mark 365 days since his wife was imprisoned. Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA
In November 2017, then-foreign secretary Boris Johnson met with Mr Ratcliffe at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA
Carol singers sing outside Downing Street call for the release of Nazanin Ratcliffe.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, is pictured with Gabriella prior to her release Credit: Free Nazanin Campaign/PA

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

In 2019, Mr Ratcliffe started a hunger strike outside the Iranian Embassy. Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA
Letters of support sent to Mr Ratcliffe as his hunger strike entered its eighth day. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA
Gabriella with her dad and grandma as they addressed the media following a meeting with Boris Johnson after Gabriella's return from Tehran. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA
Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, with their daughter Gabriella Credit: Ian West/PA
Father and daughter after the five-year-old returned to the UK in 2019 so she could attend school. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA

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.

Richard Ratcliffe and his daughter Gabriella Credit: PA
TV personalities Claudia Winkleman (left) and Victoria Coren-Mitchell (right) with Richard Ratcliffe in 2021 on his second hunger strike
Richard Ratcliffe and his MP Tulip Siddiq during his latest hunger strike Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA
Gabriella with Elika, the daughter of Anoosheh Ashoori, who has also been freed after being jailed in Iran since 2017. Credit: Amnesty International UK/Darius Bazargan