Today, we are going to talk about news that has just left its mark: the return to France of Franco-Iranian researcher Fariba Adelkhah after four years of captivity in Iran. This is news that brings both relief and joy to all those who have supported and followed his story.
Fariba Adelkhah, renowned anthropologist and research director at the Sciences Po International Research Center in Paris, was arrested in June 2019 in Iran, alongside her companion Roland Marchal, another French researcher. While Roland Marchal was released in 2020, Fariba Adelkhah had to wait until now before regaining his freedom.
Her return to France is welcomed by many supporters, including Béatrice Hibou, president of her support committee, and Mathias Vicherat, director of Sciences Po, who welcomed her warmly at the airport. In a press release, Fariba Adelkhah expresses her gratitude to French diplomacy and all the people who worked for her release. She affirms that despite the ordeals suffered, she turns the page and concentrates on the gestures of friendship, commitment and solidarity which surrounded her throughout her ordeal.
This release is a great relief for his family, friends and colleagues. However, we must not forget that four other French people are still detained in Iran, including Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris, Louis Arnaud and another French national whose identity has not been made public. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately reacted by calling for their immediate release.
The case of Fariba Adelkhah highlights the delicate situation of the many Westerners detained in Iran, often used as pawns in political negotiations. As Iran attempts to renew a nuclear agreement with the major powers, it is crucial to remember that the protection of human rights and individual freedom must be respected.
In conclusion, the return of Fariba Adelkhah to France is good news which shows that mobilization can bear fruit. However, we must not relax our efforts until all French nationals detained in Iran have regained their freedom. Solidarity and support are paramount in such cases, and we must continue to act so that justice prevails.