Fariba Adelkhah, a Franco-Iranian researcher, is finally back in France after being held captive in Iran for more than four years. This renowned anthropologist, research director at the Sciences Po International Research Center in Paris, was arrested in June 2019 alongside her companion Roland Marchal, also a French researcher.
After long months of detention, Roland Marchal was released in 2020, but Fariba Adelkhah remained imprisoned until last February, when she was placed under house arrest. She was then prevented from leaving Iranian territory, until now.
His return to France marks the end of a long and painful ordeal. Fariba Adelkhah expressed her gratitude to French diplomacy and all those who contributed to her release. She underlined the unfailing support of the support committee which has mobilized throughout these four years, faithful to the cause of scientific freedom.
However, it is important to remember that four other French nationals remain detained in Iran. Among them, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, arrested in May 2022 during a tourist stay according to their relatives, as well as Louis Arnaud, a 36-year-old traveler, and another Frenchman whose identity has not been made public. The French Foreign Ministry called for their immediate release, stressing that France will continue to press for their safe return.
This release comes in a tense context between Iran and Western powers. Several dozen Westerners are still detained in Iran, used as negotiating levers in discussions on the country’s nuclear program. As Iran and major powers attempt to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, Fariba Adelkhah’s release is a positive sign, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety and freedom of those still detained.
In conclusion, the return of researcher Fariba Adelkhah to France after her captivity in Iran is a great relief for her family and loved ones. However, it is essential to continue to be vigilant and to demand the release of other French people detained in Iran. The fight for scientific freedom and the security of researchers remains a major issue in a complex geopolitical context.