WANA (Oct 21) – The Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs, Parliament, and Iranians Abroad at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the French government’s arrest of Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian citizen, as an act of “hostage-taking,” calling it inconsistent with Paris’s human rights claims.

 

Vahid Jalalzadeh, the Deputy Minister for Consular Affairs, Parliament, and Iranians Abroad, criticized the French government’s behavior toward Esfandiari, stating that she has been taken hostage by a country that calls itself the ‘cradle of freedom’—a nation that makes extensive claims in this regard—merely for her activity on a Telegram channel supporting the people of Palestine, particularly Palestinian women and children.

 

He added that, from the very first 24 hours after learning of Esfandiari’s arrest, consular, legal, and political measures were launched. The Iranian ambassador to France has also held meetings with officials from the French Foreign Ministry, police, and prosecutor’s office to pursue the matter.

 

Jalalzadeh further announced that a lawyer has been appointed for Esfandiari and that nearly ten consular visits have been conducted, emphasizing that all her legal matters are being carefully reviewed.

 

The Deputy Minister also referred to recent remarks by Iran’s Foreign Minister in a special televised program, saying: “According to the Minister, Ms. Esfandiari has been placed on the exchange list, and a political-consular package between the two countries has been prepared. The implementation of this package requires mutual cooperation. We hope this process will soon lead to a positive outcome and that Ms. Esfandiari will return to our beloved country.”