WANA (Oct 14) – Iran’s Judiciary spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir, announced that extensive efforts are underway for the release and transfer of Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandiari, with both the Foreign Ministry and the Judiciary’s International Affairs Department actively pursuing the case. The spokesperson emphasized that although the legal process has been prolonged, the follow-ups have not stopped.

 

Addressing the accusations against Esfandiari, the spokesperson described them as baseless, stating that her actions—including supporting the Palestinian people, opposing the Gaza genocide, and backing the resistance movement—are considered legal and aligned with human rights according to the Iranian Judiciary, and therefore cannot constitute a crime.

 

The spokesperson added that at one stage, it was proposed that Esfandiari could be released on bail if a suitable location near her place of detention was provided. Her family made a proposal, but French authorities, despite cooperation from the Iranian embassy, refused to transfer her to the requested location.

 

He further noted that serious follow-ups continue through Esfandiari’s lawyer and the Iranian embassy in Paris, and that the Iranian ambassador has met her twice so far. The embassy maintains regular communication with her, and the Human Rights Headquarters, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, is working to secure her unconditional release.

 

The spokesperson expressed hope that the French government will act swiftly to end Mahdieh Esfandiari’s illegal detention.

 

In response to a question about the sentencing of the two French spies arrested in 2022 and the possibility of exchanging them for Mahdieh Esfandiari, Asghar Jahangir, the Judiciary spokesperson, said:

 

“As far as I know, their sentences have been issued. We consider them guilty, and their actions constituted espionage or quasi-espionage, so they have been given long-term prison sentences.”

 

Regarding Mahdieh Esfandiari, the spokesperson added: “She was detained due to her statements about the Palestinian people, and her case is completely separate from that of the two French spies.”

 

Mahdieh Esfandiari is a 35-year-old Iranian woman who has been arrested on charges of “glorifying and promoting terrorism” due to her online activity in social media posts related to the war in Gaza.

 

She is a French translator and university lecturer who has been living in Lyon for the past eight years. But on Friday, February 28, 2025, she suddenly disappeared, and it was reported that she had been arrested by France.

Iranian citizen Mahdieh Esfandiari, a French translator and university lecturer, was arrested in France. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Iranian citizen Mahdieh Esfandiari, a French translator and university lecturer, was arrested in France. Social media/ WANA News Agency