PARIS – French citizen Olivier Grondeau has been released from Iranian custody after 17 months of detention on security charges and has returned to France, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday.
Grondeau, who was arrested in October 2022 in the city of Shiraz, had been held at Tehran’s Evin prison, known for detaining Westerners, dual nationals, and political prisoners.
His release, which coincided with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, was welcomed by the French government, though no immediate details were provided on what led to his freedom.
“Grondeau is free and with his loved ones,” Macron wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Our mobilisation will not weaken to ensure the release of two other French citizens still detained by Iran.”
Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s minister for Europe and foreign affairs, shared an image of Grondeau smiling aboard what appeared to be a private jet.
“We will tirelessly continue our efforts to ensure that all our compatriots still held hostage, including Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, are in turn released,” Barrot wrote.
Arrest Amidst Political Turmoil
Grondeau’s arrest in 2022 occurred during a period of heightened tensions in Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
Amini died after being detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly failing to properly wear the mandatory hijab, sparking nationwide protests that were met with a severe crackdown by Iranian authorities.
While the exact circumstances of Grondeau’s arrest remain unclear, it is suspected that he was detained amid this chaotic backdrop.
His identity remained undisclosed for over a year until he revealed it in an audio message broadcast on French radio in January.
In the message, he expressed growing exhaustion over his prolonged detention. His mother later described him to French media as a former youth Scrabble champion with a love for Beyoncé and karaoke.
French Officials Demand Release of Other Detainees
While welcoming Grondeau’s return, French officials renewed their calls for the release of two other French nationals still imprisoned in Iran.
Kohler and her partner Paris were arrested in May 2022 and accused by Iranian authorities of attempting to incite labour protests—charges their families vehemently deny.
“Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris must be freed from Iranian jails,” Macron stated. “All my thoughts are with them and their families on this day.”
France has repeatedly condemned Iran’s practice of detaining foreign nationals, calling it a form of state hostage-taking. Tehran has a history of using foreign detainees as leverage in negotiations with Western countries over sanctions and diplomatic disputes.
Although the French government has not disclosed whether Grondeau’s release was part of a broader diplomatic arrangement, analysts suggest it could be linked to ongoing discussions between Iran and Western powers.
For now, Grondeau’s return to France marks a significant development, but France continues to push for the release of its remaining citizens held in Iran.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
