Araghchi: Two French Nationals in Iran Granted Islamic Clemency
WANA (Nov 05) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to reporters in the cabinet courtyard after Wednesday’s government meeting, said that the two French nationals previously convicted of espionage were granted Islamic clemency by the Judiciary last night.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to journalists after the weekly cabinet session, stated: “These individuals were convicted on espionage charges but were granted Islamic clemency by the Judiciary last night. Our citizen in France, Ms. Esfandiari, is now free and staying at our embassy. Hopefully, her court proceedings will soon be completed.”
Earlier, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced the conditional release of the two French nationals, saying: “The two French citizens, who had been imprisoned for committing security-related crimes, have been released on bail under a court order and will remain under judicial supervision until the next stage of their case.”
Conditional Release of Two French Nationals in Iran
WANA (Nov 05) – The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the conditional release of two French nationals who had been detained on security-related charges. According to the statement, the two individuals, who had been serving time for committing security offenses, were released on bail by order of the judge and will […]
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on his X account last night: “Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who had been detained in Iran for three years, have been released from Evin Prison and are on their way to the French Embassy in Tehran.”
The exchange of prisoners between Tehran and Paris has been under discussion for the past two months. On September 10, Araghchi had revealed that negotiations were in their final stages, saying: “Significant efforts have been made, and we’ve reached a point where the exchange of Ms. Esfandiari with the French prisoners is in its final phase. This process requires coordination among the Foreign Ministry, Judiciary, and security institutions, and I hope it will be completed in the coming days.”
Subsequently, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahid Jalalzadeh confirmed that Ms. Esfandiari had been included in the “exchange channel,” explaining: “We have designed a political and consular package that both countries must implement, and we hope Ms. Esfandiari will soon return to Iran.”
On October 21, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Baghaei also announced Ms. Esfandiari’s conditional release in France, welcoming the French judge’s decision and emphasizing that “the Foreign Ministry will continue its efforts until her full release and safe return to the country.”
Ms. Mahdieh Esfandiari was detained in France on March 1 last year on charges of supporting the Palestinian people. According to Baghaei, “We are awaiting the next court session and hope this development will pave the way for her acquittal and full release.”
