Olivier Grondeau, a French national imprisoned in Iran for almost 900 days, has been released, as confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron. Grondeau was detained while on holiday in October 2022 and sentenced to five years for alleged conspiracy against the state—a claim denied by his family and French authorities. Macron emphasized that Grondeau’s release is a relief for his family and called out Iran's pattern of detaining individuals as leverage against other nations. The government continues to push for the release of additional French nationals held in Iran.
"One day you think you're going to be freed very quickly, the next you think you'll die here," he said on the recording.
"You become a human who has been stocked away indefinitely because one government is seeking to exert pressure on another," he explained.
"Olivier Grondeau is finally free," Barrot said. "Taken hostage in Iran for 887 days, he has been reunited with his family, loved ones and his country.
"We will tirelessly continue our efforts to ensure that all our compatriots still held hostage... are also released," Barrot added.
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