A French tourist, Olivier Grondeau, 34, has been released from an Iranian prison after being detained for over two years. He was arrested in October 2022 and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “conspiracy against the Islamic republic”. Mr. Grondeau’s family has always denied the charges.
The French government expressed relief at his release, with President Emmanuel Macron saying: “We share his family’s immense happiness and relief.” France has repeatedly lobbied for the release of two other French citizens, Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were detained in May 2022. Human rights groups say that tourists and dual nationals are often held for leverage in diplomatic negotiations.
Other foreigners have also been detained in Iran, including a British couple and an Italian journalist. The cases highlight growing concerns over the treatment of foreign visitors in Iran. Mr. Grondeau’s release is seen as a positive development, but the fate of other hostages remains uncertain.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yxzp5k919o