THE sister-in-law of a Cwmbran doctor has been charged with spying in Iran.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was visiting family with her young daughter, Gabriella, but on April 3, she was detained, first in solitary confinement before moving to a prison, as a matter of national security.

The British-Iranian national has been charged with being ‘one of the ring leaders in efforts planning the overthrow of the Islamic regime through projects involving the media and social media, working under the direction of media companies and espionage networks belonging to foreign governments.’

"We are deeply saddened by the news of Nazanin's charge,” said Rebecca Ratcliffe, a GP at the Cwmbran Village Surgery.

“These are barely credible accusations levelled at my sister-in-law. Nazanin is a kind, compassionate woman who has a great love for her Iranian heritage.

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe works for Reuters Thompson, which is the charitable arm of Reuters news agency, and since her imprisonment, has had her British passport taken away.

Gabriella, who turned two last Saturday, has also had her passport confiscated, and is living with her grandparents in Tehran.

“It is ridiculous to imagine that she would be able to do anything to bring down the Iranian government,” added Dr Ratcliffe, who lives in Marshfield and attended a party in London for her niece last week.

“Knowing how precious her daughter is to her, it is inconceivable that she would take her to Iran if she had any idea it would put her in such danger."

Dr Ratcliffe’s brother, Richard Ratcliffe has campaigned for the release of his wife and daughter, launching an online petition which has received more than 765,000 signatures for over 150 countries.

A spokeswoman from the Foreign Office said: “We are urgently seeking information from the Iranian authorities on the reported accusations being made against Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

“We have raised this case repeatedly and at the highest levels and will continue to do so at every available opportunity.

“We have also been supporting Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s family since we were first made aware of her arrest,” she added.

“Minister for the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood, has met personally with the family to reassure them that we will continue to do all we can on this case.”

To view the petition, visit change.org/p/david-cameron-mp-free-nazanin-ratcliffe.