Iranian Woman Held in France Returns Home After Release of Two French Detainees

Esfandiari, who had been living in Lyon since 2018, was arrested in February 2025 and later convicted by a French court for glorifying terrorism through social media posts linked to the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. She received a one year prison sentence, a suspended three year term, and a permanent ban from French territory. She was later placed under house arrest before being allowed to return home.

On Iranian television after her return, Esfandiari said the ruling against her was unjust and criticised the state of free expression in France. Iranian media portrayed her release as part of an understanding reached with France. French officials, however, denied any formal exchange agreement.

The development came one week after French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris returned to France after more than three years in Iranian detention on espionage charges, which their families and French authorities reject. The two had been released from prison in November 2025 but remained confined to French diplomatic premises in Tehran until they were finally allowed to leave on April 7, travelling overland to Azerbaijan before flying to Paris.

French officials said their release followed a long diplomatic effort, helped by Omani mediation and accelerated by regional tensions tied to the war involving Iran, while stopping short of acknowledging any prisoner swap. The timing of Esfandiari’s return, though, has added to speculation that both sides reached an informal arrangement.