WANA (Apr 22) – Despite repeated efforts by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iranian Embassy in Paris, the French government has so far denied consular access to Mahdieh EsfandiarMahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian citizen detained in France, and has not even allowed her to contact her family by phone.

 

Esfandiari, 35, who has lived in France for the past eight years, has been in custody for over 40 days on charges related to expressing support for the Palestinian people. On March 10, 2025, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced that an Iranian citizen residing in France had gone missing. He stated at the time that the individual was a university professor living in France, and that French authorities had provided no clear information regarding her situation.

 

Baghaei stressed that the Foreign Ministry considers it its duty to defend the rights of Iranian nationals worldwide. More than 40 days after her arrest, no consular meeting has taken place. Although French authorities have promised to arrange a visit in the coming week, no progress has been made so far.

 

Experts say France’s refusal to grant consular access is a clear violation of its obligations under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

 

In a press briefing on March 17, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson revealed that after several days of no information, it was confirmed that Esfandiari was in police custody in France. Although the exact reason for her arrest has not been officially disclosed, it appears to be linked to her pro-Gaza activism. She had reportedly posted content in support of the Palestinian people, which may have led to her arrest.

 

Following media coverage and diplomatic follow-ups, the French magazine Le Point also reported on the case. In another press briefing on April 13, Baghaei announced that no formal charges had been filed against Esfandiari and that neither her family nor the Iranian diplomatic mission had been informed of her detention. French officials have only claimed that she supported groups they consider extremist, though available evidence suggests she merely expressed solidarity with Gaza.

 

Criticizing the new stance of some European governments, Baghaei stated: “Today, opposing genocide and supporting people at risk is being equated with supporting terrorism. This distortion of concepts poses a serious threat to the foundations of human rights.”

 

He once again called for consular access to Esfandiari, a right clearly granted to foreign nationals under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention in cases of detention. According to Baghaei, the Iranian government is pursuing the case through diplomatic channels, both via its embassy in Paris and the French embassy in Tehran.

 

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also expressed hope that the French government would swiftly honor its legal and international obligations—not only by granting consular access, but also by providing a transparent explanation for the Iranian citizen’s detention.