Female Student Jailed in France over Pro-Gaza Stance Arrives in Iran

Esfandiari arrived in the country on Wednesday upon pursuance of her freedom by relevant Iranian authorities.

Esfandiari was detained in France in February last year on charges of promoting terrorism online. She was arrested after publishing messages on a Telegram channel in condemnation of Israel’s war in the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip. 

Tehran has announced it views Esfandiari’s detention as a clear violation of human rights and a politically-charged misuse of judicial procedures.
In late February 2026, a court in France sentenced the 39-year-old to four years in prison. 

She had previously spent eight months in pretrial detention before being released under conditional terms in late October. A week later, Tehran released two French nationals held in the country for security offenses on bail.

Esfandiari was able to travel back to Iran upon the return to France of two French citizens, who had been held in Tehran for espionage.

Upon arrival, Esfandiari said, “I think it is now clear and evident to everyone that, at least in France, where I was present, there is no freedom of expression." 

"The court’s ruling was very unjust," she added.

"They imposed restrictions on me and held me hostage until their two spies were brought [back] to France, and on the same day those restrictions were lifted and we were able to arrange the travel preparations,” she stated.