Iran frees French national Olivier Grondeau jailed for 880 days on espionage charges

Iran has released a French national, Olivier Grondeau, who was held captive in its prison for 880 days, French officials said on Thursday.

Afterwards, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Grondeau’s release in a post on social media. His release coincided with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a time when Iran has freed prisoners in the past.

France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, shared a photo of Grondeau smiling aboard what appeared to be a private jet. A picture of pop star Britney Spears was seen on his lap, though Barrot did not mention it.

“We will continue working tirelessly to secure the release of all our fellow citizens still held, including Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris,” Barrot wrote in a post on X. Macron also called for their freedom.

Iran has not yet commented on Grondeau’s release. Such releases often involve exchanges, but no release was done on behalf of France. Earlier this week, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said France had arrested an Iranian woman who supported Palestinians but was still gathering details on her case.

The two other French nationals still in Iran are teacher Cécile Kohler and her partner, Jacques Paris, who were arrested in May 2022. They are accused of trying to incite labour protests, but French authorities and their families strongly deny the claims.

With inputs from AP