Roland Marchal, a senior researcher at Science-Po university in Paris, and his Franco-Iranian colleague Fariba Adelkhah have been in prison in Iran since June – although French officials only went public about Marchal's detention in October.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday called for the pair – who stand accused of espionage – to be released without delay.
"On Human Rights Day, my thoughts go to Fariba Adelkhah and Roland Marchal, our compatriots held in Iran, and their families," Macron said on Twitter.
Today marks 6 mos that Roland Marchal from @CERI_SciencesPo and his colleague Fariba have been in Iran’s Evin prison. Thinking about the last meal I had w/Roland who always offers good laughs, critical insights, strong coffee. #freeRoland #freeFariba @FaribaRoland pic.twitter.com/CecBhQDfYv
Tatiana Carayannis (@TCarayannis) December 6, 2019
"Their imprisonment is intolerable. They must be freed without delay. I told President Rouhani, I repeat it here."
Macron’s appeal followed a prisoner swap at the weekend between Iran and rival the United States.
According to Iran's semi-official news agency ISNA, the case was referred to Iran's Revolutionary Court – which typically handles high-profile cases – after the prosecution opposed a judge’s decision to release the academics on bail.
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