NAZANIN Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the wife of a Farnham man sentenced to five years in jail in Iran for spying, charges she denies, has been temporarily released from prison for the first time in more than two years.

The Free Nazanin campaign, set up by Nazanin’s husband Richard Ratcliffe following his wife’s arrest in Tehran, confirmed that Nazanin was released from Evin prison on furlough for an initial three days on Thursday morning.

On her release from Evin, Nazanin travelled to Damavand, where her family were on holiday, with her father and brother and was re-acquainted with her daughter Gabriella, her grandmother and wider family.

Gabriella had picked some flowers from the family garden, and was waiting to present them – the tradition she has seen for families waiting outside Evin prison (pictured).

Nazanin has been released on furlough for three days until Sunday, August 26. This is standard practice initially and Nazanin’s lawyer has informed her family that he will request an extension for her furlough on Saturday.

It comes after a number of false dawns, which Nazanin and her family have found "increasingly unsettling", and the campaign gave thanks to "all those involved in making this possible in Tehran and London", and to the new Foreign Secretary, South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt "for all his recent efforts and considerations".

Mr Hunt responded to the news on Twitter: "Really good news that Nazanin has been released on furlough, credit to tireless campaigning by husband Richard and her friends. But being in prison AT ALL is gross injustice and she must be PERMANENTLY released for which every effort will continue."

Nazanin said on her release: “It will be just awesome for Gabriella to have mummy home finally. We can play with her dolls house, and she can show me her toys. The thought of brushing her hair, and giving her a bath, of being able to take her to the park, and feed her, and sleep next to her – it just kills me. It is still so hard to believe.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all when it was mentioned two weeks ago. I didn’t tell Gabriella or for a long time my mum – so if it didn’t happen I would be the only one to suffer.

“I was so emotional to see my grandmother today. I cried so much. I felt so overwhelmed. My dad’s home is not my home – but it is so much better than prison.

“People in the ward were so excited – they sang songs and danced. I baked for them in celebration. It felt like this really could be the beginning of the end”

Richard, who grew up in Farnham and regularly returns to his hometown, added: “Despite the build up, today was a genuine surprise after all the disappointments. We have been burned by hope before, so it had been easier to presume disappointment would come again. But it didn’t – she is outside those prison walls. And we are all so pleased.

“I want to thank Jeremy Hunt for all his efforts, and for the efforts of all of his staff and all the Iranian authorities involved. I have been very critical in the past – I may need to be critical again. But today is a good day, hopefully the turn of a new leaf as well as stone. It happened thanks to the personal care of the many people involved in Tehran, London and around the world.

“Furlough is not full freedom – we want her home, not just on holiday from prison – but it is still such a good step. I promised Nazanin I will keep campaigning until she is home in the UK, so we don’t get caught in some limbo of house arrest. But after 873 days it is a massive step. And we owe a thank you to everyone who has carried us this far.

“There is a play about Nazanin currently at the Edinburgh fringe which I am due to see tomorrow. It ends with one of Gabriella’s favourite songs, Incey Wincey spider as our shortened life story. But maybe the sunshine has finally come out, and there might be no need to climb up the spout again.”

On Thursday evening Richard will travel to Edinburgh to attend the Nazanin’s Story play at the Edinburgh fringe.