Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe receives ovation at Glastonbury Festival

British-Iranian charity worker recounts ordeal of being jailed in Tehran

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe joined a panel discussing women's rights and Iran at the Glastonbury Festival. Getty Images

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was jailed in Iran for six years, has been warmly received at the Glastonbury Festival, where the audience gave her a standing ovation.

The British-Iranian charity worker shared her experiences and insights about being held political prisoner during a discussion about the rights of women in Iran at the festival's Left Field stage, joined by an all-female panel.

Her speech was marked with raw emotion as she talked about her six-year separation from her daughter, who was only 22 months old when Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested, in a case widely seen by the international community as being politically motivated.

“I was used as a political pawn in something that predated me,” she said.

She said while in prison, she had very limited access to news from the outside world and was unaware of the #FreeNazanin campaign.

However, she was smuggled a “very low-quality picture” showing a banner at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival calling for her release.

“That shows how far your story can get if people care about you,” she told the crowd.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe emphasised the power of collective action and urged the audience to continue advocating for those oppressed or detained in countries such as Iran.

From left, Iranian-born British comedian Shappi Khorsandi, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and film produer Hanan Abdalla at the Glastonbury Festival. PA

An emotional standing ovation

As she concluded her speech, applause gradually swelled into a standing ovation.

Overwhelmed, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe stood up and clapped in response, pressing her hands to her chest in gratitude.

“What just happened there was a dream come true,” said fellow panel member Shappi Khorsandi, an Iranian-born British comedian, reflecting the collective sentiment of the audience.

"In the six years that you were gone we lived for this moment."

A glance at Nazanin's story

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager for the Thomas Reuters Foundation, was arrested in Iran in 2016 during a visit to her family.

Accused of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government, she was sentenced to five years in prison.

Her case attracted significant international attention and she was released in 2022.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe became a household name in 2016 when she was detained in Iran while on a visit to see her family. In March, she was released. PA

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe meeting British tennis star Andy Murray in December. Photo: Andy Murray / Twitter

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe speaking to Woman's Hour presenter Emma Barnett for a special edition of the BBC Radio 4 programme in May. PA

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson meeting Mrs Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe at Downing Street in May. Photo: Downing Street

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her husband Richard Ratcliffe arriving at Downing Street for the meeting in May. Reuters

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella with Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle and MP Tulip Siddiq at the Palace of Westminster, in March. Photo: UK Parliament

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her husband at a press conference hosted by their local MP Tulip Siddiq in March. Getty Images

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, flanked by her husband, at the press conference. AFP

Ms Siddiq takes a selfie at her first meeting with Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, after campaigning for six years for her release from Iran. PA

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her daughter Gabriella, husband and former foreign secretary Liz Truss, after arriving back in the UK in March. Photo: Downing Street

The family hug upon her arrival at RAF Brize Norton. AFP

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe and fellow former detainee Anoosheh Ashoori as they fly over London in March. Reuters

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe on the plane en route to London after leaving Tehran, in March. Reuters

A festival with a cause

Glastonbury Festival, held annually in Pilton, Somerset, England, is one of the largest greenfield music and performing arts festivals in the world.

Besides being a platform for various music genres, the festival also has a history of highlighting important social issues.

Its Left Field stage, where Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe shared her story, is dedicated to debates, music, and activism, promoting causes such as social justice and workers' rights.