Olivier Grondeau, a French citizen, has been released from detention in Iran after more than two years of imprisonment on spying charges. French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the detention as arbitrary and disgraceful, while Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed relief regarding Grondeau's release, crediting the efforts of French diplomats. Grondeau was arrested while visiting Iran in October 2022, sentenced to five years, and accused of espionage—charges both he and the French government denied. His case has drawn parallels with other hostage situations, suggesting a pattern of Iran using detainees as bargaining chips in international negotiations.
President Macron denounced the detention of Olivier Grondeau and two other French citizens as disgraceful, emphasizing the arbitrary nature of their imprisonment.
Jean-Noel Barrot expressed immense relief over Grondeau's release, attributing it to persistent efforts by French diplomats, though the details of these efforts remain unclear.
Mr. Grondeau highlighted in an audio recording from prison that he and others were victims of political blackmail, disconnecting their situation from actual crimes.
The French advocacy group noted a significant deterioration in Grondeau's psychological health due to the harsh conditions of his detention in Iran.
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