A Frenchman held in Iran since October 2022, one of three French nationals in detention, has revealed his identity in an audio message broadcast on French public radio, saying he was becoming exhausted over his ordeal. The appeal comes as German-Iranian Nahid Taghavi returns to Germany after spending four years in an Iranian jail for rights activism.
Olivier Grondeau,34, had previously only been identified by his first name and French authorities had not released details of his case.
In an audio message aired on France Inter public radio on Monday, Grondeau fully identified himself, proclaimed his innocence and said he was the victim of "political blackmail" between France and Iran.
He warned that he and two other French detainees held in Iran were "exhausted".
The other two French nationals – teachers Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris – were detained in May 2022 on charges of seeking to stir up labour protests. Their families strongly deny the accusations.
Grondeau is being held in Evin prison in Tehran, sharing a cell with 18 other prisoners. He said that Kohler and Paris were being held in even harsher conditions than his own.
"You, who have the power to influence this matter, hear this truth," he said in the audio message, apparently addressing the French authorities.
"Cecile's strength, Jacques' strength, Olivier's strength – it is all running out," he said. "Your responsibility is called upon to ensure the survival of three human beings," he said.
Time to turn to the media
Grondeau was arrested in Shiraz, in southern Iran, in October 2022 and sentenced to five years behind bars for "conspiracy against the Islamic republic", his mother Thérèse told France Inter.
His family rejects the charges, saying Grondeau was travelling to Iran simply on a tourist visa as part of a world tour.
"We've left time for diplomacy, nothing happened. Now it's time to turn to the media" to try and secure his release, she said.
The French foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador on 10 January to protest Tehran holding the three French nationals, describing them as “state hostages”.
“Their situation is intolerable, with undignified conditions of detention, that, for some, constitute torture under international law”, the foreign ministry said.
Shortly after Grondeau's message was broadcast, German-Iranian Nahid Taghavi returned to Germany after spending four years in an Iranian jail for rights activism, her family said.
Earlier this month, an Italian journalist, Cecilia Sala, arrested and jailed in Iran since December, was freed and returned to Rome.
(with newswires)
