Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian student-activist residing in France, has been held in detention for nearly six months on charges of “supporting terrorism.” Meanwhile, Iranian officials are considering whether to escalate her case to the European Court of Human Rights as legal and diplomatic efforts continue.
Background and Arrest
Mahdieh Esfandiari, a 39-year-old Iranian translator and lecturer who has lived in Lyon since 2018, was arrested by French authorities on February 28, 2025, just days before a planned return to Tehran.
Her disappearance in March prompted alarm from her family and the Iranian government, which later confirmed she was in custody.
Charges and Detention Conditions
French prosecutors accuse her of “glorifying terrorism” based on her social media posts—particularly on Telegram, X, and Instagram—where she shared content condemning Israeli actions in Gaza.
She is currently detained at Fresnes prison, a high-security facility near Paris, held in solitary confinement with limited access to outdoor time or basic rights.
Iran’s Legal and Diplomatic Response
Iran has vigorously pursued her case through consular and diplomatic channels. The Iranian Foreign Ministry and its representatives in Paris have filed multiple formal protests, demanded conditional release or electronic monitoring, and sought explanations from French authorities.
All such requests—including proposals for bail or house arrest—have so far been rejected by the French court.
Seeking International Justice
Iranian legal authorities, including the head of the International Affairs Department of the Center for Lawyers, have highlighted that key articles of the European Convention on Human Rights—specifically Articles 3 (no inhuman treatment), 5 (right to liberty and security), and 10 (freedom of expression)—appear to have been violated in her case.
If domestic legal avenues in France fail, referral to the European Court of Human Rights remains an option.
Broader Context and Implications
Rights advocates see Esfandiari’s arrest as emblematic of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian speech in France. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-Israel conflict, France expanded its “glorification of terrorism” law, effectively criminalizing solidarity with Gaza and Palestine in various cases.
Critics point to the contradiction of a democracy that champions free expression—such as defending offensive caricatures of Islamic figures—while penalizing expressions of solidarity with Palestinians.
Iran continues to assert that Esfandiari’s posts were lawful expressions of solidarity based on international human rights norms, not criminal conduct. Her case serves as a flashpoint in the discussion of freedom of expression, double standards, and the limits of solidarity speech in Western legal systems.
From: fars