World Courant
President Emmanuel Macron says Iran has launched a French citizen who was detained on nationwide safety fees nearly two years in the past.
Louis Arnaud, a banking marketing consultant in his 30s, was arrested in September 2022 on fees of collaborating in anti-government protests and contributing to anti-government propaganda.
He was sentenced to 5 years in jail in 2023.
“Louis Arnaud is free. He can be in France tomorrow after a protracted detention in Iran,” Macron stated. posted on X.
The president thanked Oman for its assist in securing his freedom and urged Iran to launch three different French prisoners.
The three others are instructor Cecile Kohler and her associate Jacques Paris, and a person recognized solely by his first identify, Olivier.
“Tonight I’m additionally considering of Cecile, Jacques and Olivier. I name on Iran to free them at once,” Macron stated.
Mr Arnaud’s household has stated prior to now that he was celebrating the birthday of considered one of a gaggle of backpackers he met throughout his travels once they have been stopped by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards. All others detained, together with different foreigners, have since been launched.
His arrest got here as protests started throughout Iran in 2022, sparked by the demise of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody.
Mr Arnaud was held within the notorious Evin jail within the capital Tehran, which has lengthy been criticized by rights teams.
Human Rights Watch has accused authorities on the jail of utilizing threats of torture and indefinite imprisonment, in addition to prolonged interrogations and denying medical care to detainees.
The discharge comes as bilateral relations between Paris and Tehran have deteriorated in latest months.
France has stated the detentions of its residents are arbitrary arrests equal to state hostage-taking. The nation can also be more and more involved about Iran’s actions within the Center East and the progress of its nuclear program.
