AhlulBayt News Agency: Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the prolonged detention of Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian citizen and university lecturer in France, calling it an act of “judicial hostage-taking” by the French judiciary.
Esfandiari has been held in a detention facility in the suburbs of Paris since February 28 after sharing messages on a Telegram channel condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary, and Expatriate Affairs, Vahid Jalalzadeh, denounced her arrest as inhumane and vowed to pursue her release with full determination.
Jalalzadeh stated that the charges against Esfandiari appear to be politically motivated, stemming from her advocacy for the Palestinian cause and the oppressed people of Gaza.
Despite repeated diplomatic efforts, Iran’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that no solid legal evidence has been presented against her.
Jalalzadeh noted that from the very first day of her arrest, Iran lodged formal protests with the French Foreign Ministry, summoning the French ambassador and deputy ambassador in Tehran to voice their strong objections.
Iran’s ambassador in Paris and consular officials have visited Esfandiari multiple times in prison, assuring her of Tehran’s full support.
Iran has provided her with legal assistance, ensuring her lawyer remains in close contact with both her and her family. Jalalzadeh personally met with her relatives to address their concerns.
Iran proposed offering two residential properties in Lyon and Paris as guarantees for her temporary release, but the French court rejected the request.
Addressing speculation about a possible court ruling, Jalalzadeh emphasized that no verdict has been issued yet and that efforts continue to secure her release.
He criticized France for its double standards, arguing that a country that prides itself on democratic values is engaging in politically motivated legal actions.
Tehran considers Esfandiari’s detention a clear violation of human rights and an abuse of judicial procedures for political purposes.
Friends and family revealed that her home was thoroughly searched by security personnel on February 28, making the incident resemble a kidnapping.
For two days after her arrest, her whereabouts remained unknown, and her loved ones only discovered she was in police custody after persistent inquiries.
She was later moved to Fresnes prison, 470 kilometers from Paris, creating significant challenges for her family in supporting her case.
Esfandiari is a linguist with a degree in French language from Lumiere University and has lived in Lyon for the past eight years, working as a professor, translator, and interpreter at the university.
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