DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — French Citizen Freed After 880 Days in Iran
A French national, Olivier Grondeau, has been released after being imprisoned in Iran for more than 880 days, according to French officials on Thursday.
His release coincides with ongoing discussions between France and European nations regarding Iran’s fast-growing nuclear program.
In an effort to initiate talks, U.S. President Donald Trump has reached out with a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Concurrently, Trump has increased pressure on Tehran concerning its backing of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, as the American military has intensified airstrike operations against the group.
Grondeau had publicly highlighted the political ramifications of his detention, stating, “You become a human who has been stocked away indefinitely because one government is seeking to exert pressure on another.”
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Grondeau’s release online, without sharing specific details surrounding it, although it coincided with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a time when Iran has previously released prisoners. Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, shared a photo of a smiling Grondeau aboard what appeared to be a private jet, expressing a commitment to securing the release of other French citizens still detained in Iran.
The Iranian government has not formally acknowledged Grondeau’s release. Historically, such freedom for Western detainees in Iran typically involves negotiations or trade-offs. Earlier this week, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson commented on France’s detention of an Iranian woman tied to Palestinian support, suggesting that case details were still being gathered.
Grondeau’s imprisonment commenced in October 2022 in Shiraz amidst nationwide turmoil following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died after being detained for not complying with Iran’s hijab regulations. He detailed his experiences during captivity, including confinement in solitary conditions and interrogation, before being sentenced to five years for espionage, a charge strongly denied by him, his family, and the French government.
