Iran launches a French tourist held since 2022, says Macron

A French tourist, detained by Iranian authorities for more than two years, has been released and returned to France, said President Emmanuel Macron.

The 34 -year -old Olivier Grondo is “free” and with his family Macron wrote on X on Thursday, adding: “We share the great happiness and relief of his family.”

Grondo was arrested in southern Iran in October 2022 and sentenced to five years in prison for “conspiracy against the Islamic Republic”. His family has always denied the accusations.

The Iranian regime has arrested many tourists and dual citizens in recent years, most of all, for spying and national security.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Baro posted a photo of Mr Grondo on an airplane returning home on Thursday.

“The hostage in Iran for 887 days, he reunited with his family, loved ones and his country. This is a huge relief,” he writes.

Speaking publicly after his arrest in January, Grondo said he was “held hostage” by the authorities.

His family described him as a passionate fan of Persian poetry, traveling to Iran on a tourist visa as part of a world tour.

There are currently two other French citizens in Iran.

Cecil Koler, teacher and her partner Jacques Paris, were detained in May 2022 and accused of searching for protests that their families denied.

There is an increase in concern for their health and France has repeatedly lobbying for their release.

“Cecil Koler and Jacques Paris must be released from Iranian prisons,” Macron said in his publication on Thursday.

Human rights groups claim that tourists and double citizens often hold a lever in diplomatic negotiations, released only when Iran receives something in return.

The British Foreign Ministry confirmed last month that the British couple – Craig and Lindsay Foreman – were detained.

They have been charged with espionage, with Iranian state media reporting that they have been held in the southeastern city of Kerman.

In January, Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, 29 -year -old, returned to Rome after spending weeks in Iranian prison. The reports say she was kept in seclusion in Evin’s famous EVIN prison.