Introduction
The case of the arrest of Mahdieh Esfandiari, a 39-year-old Iranian translator residing in France, has become one of the most controversial examples of the conflict between security imperatives and human rights obligations of the French state. She was arrested by the police in late 2024 (early 2025) on charges of “glorification of terrorism” following the publication of content on social media in defense of the people of Gaza and Palestine. The nature of this charge and the conduct of the French judicial and security apparatus—from her prolonged detention in solitary confinement and restrictions on access to basic rights, to the formal charge of “glorification of terrorism”—raise fundamental questions about France’s adherence to the principles of freedom of expression and thought, which are regarded as cornerstones of the international human rights system and the proclaimed values of the French Republic.
This case cannot be viewed merely as an isolated incident; rather, it occurs within the broader context of increasing restrictions against activists and citizens in France and other European countries who express solidarity with the people of Palestine. The arrest of Esfandiari, alongside similar cases in recent years in which French and non-French citizens were prosecuted on charges such as “glorification of terrorism” or “disturbing public order,” highlights the legal, political, and moral dimensions of this policy. It has drawn the attention of civil society and human rights organizations to potential violations of fundamental freedoms in Paris. Accordingly, this case is not only of individual significance but also serves as a symbol of the alarming trend of curtailing social freedoms in Western societies, particularly in France, making it a subject worthy of critical reflection and international analysis.
Incidents
- Arrest and Security–Judicial Actions against Mahdieh Esfandiari
Since 2018, Mahdieh Esfandiari had been residing in Lyon, France, working as a translator and language instructor. During her years of residence, she consistently engaged in civil and media activities in support of Palestine. With the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, the French government adopted increasingly repressive policies toward pro-Palestinian activists. During this period, the law on “glorification of terrorism” was expanded in such a way that various forms of solidarity with the Palestinian people fell under security prosecution[1]. Bans on demonstrations, dissolution of pro-Palestinian groups, and judicial harassment of activists formed part of this suppressive environment.
Within this atmosphere, Esfandiari remained active on social media platforms, especially Telegram, reposting news about Palestine and exposing Israeli actions in Gaza. Reports from French media indicate that in late October 2023, content was published through a Telegram account that the French security agencies deemed to contain “praise for Hamas’s October 7 attacks,” “incitement to terrorist acts,” and “insults against the Jewish community[2].”
The monitoring and evaluation of this material were carried out by the National Center for Countering Online Hate (PNLH) (In French: Pôle national de lutte contre la haine en ligne) under the French Ministry of Interior. On October 30, 2023, then Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin called for judicial action, and on November 7, 2024, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office officially launched an investigation. The charges brought in this case included not only “glorification of terrorism” but also “incitement to terrorism,” “racial and religious hate speech,” and “refusal to provide social media passwords.”
Ultimately, on February 28, 2025, two individuals were arrested in connection with the case, one of whom was Mahdieh Esfandiari. Just days before her scheduled flight back to Tehran, she was abruptly arrested in Lyon by French police in a violent manner. Media reports indicate that her home was raided in a dawn operation by masked officers, who gave no explanation before transferring her to an undisclosed location. Her sudden disappearance alarmed her family, and after three days of silence, the case reached Iranian authorities. During this time, French officials refrained from any disclosure, and even the Iranian Embassy could not obtain precise information about her whereabouts or legal status.
It was only after nearly a month of silence—under diplomatic and media pressure—that the Paris Prosecutor’s Office confirmed her detention, citing charges of “glorification of terrorism (Apologie du terrorisme),” a serious security offense under French criminal law with potentially severe legal consequences. On April 11, 2025, Le Point reported that Esfandiari was being held in Fresnes Prison in pre-trial detention and had been formally indicted. The charges pertained to posts on social media about the October 7, 2023 attacks, which the prosecution described as “inciting, encouraging terrorism, and insulting Jews.” It should be noted that only after this disclosure in the media did her family and the public learn of her fate.
Since February 28, 2025, Esfandiari has been held in indefinite pre-trial detention at Fresnes Prison without any public trial or judicial hearing. She has spent much of this period in solitary confinement, reportedly enduring over 100 consecutive days of isolation, which has resulted in severe physical and psychological harm. Her family has described her detention conditions as disproportionate and highly concerning for a prisoner of conscience. Fresnes Prison—typically reserved for violent offenders—is considered highly unsuitable for political detainees. According to relatives, she has faced restrictions including the forced removal of her hijab, difficulty accessing halal food, and deprivation of the right to freely practice her religion. Her sister publicly emphasized her inadequate nutrition, clothing, and deteriorating mental health.
Another alarming aspect of Esfandiari’s case has been the significant delays in allowing communication with her family and Iranian diplomatic representatives. The first consular meeting took place only 55 days after her arrest, and Iran’s ambassador in Paris was allowed to visit her almost two months later. This situation contradicts the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and has been described by Iranian legal bodies as constituting mistreatment, even psychological torture. In response, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched diplomatic and legal efforts from the outset of her detention, including consular visits, the appointment of a defense attorney, and formal notes to the French government.
At one stage, French authorities proposed conditional release under strict terms, including providing a residential address in France and daily reporting to the police. Although her family agreed to these conditions, the judiciary has so far refused to grant temporary release. Iranian officials have been attempting to persuade the investigating judge, but these efforts have remained unsuccessful. A hearing was reportedly scheduled for summer 2025 to review conditional release or continued detention. However, as of the writing of this report, no public trial has taken place, and Esfandiari remains in detention under circumstances that violate principles of fair trial and fundamental human rights.
- Other Similar Cases in France
The case of Mahdieh Esfandiari is not the first instance of the French government’s harsh measures against pro-Palestinian activists. Several similar incidents have occurred previously, revealing a recurring pattern of behavior.
One such case involved Bashir Biazar, a 42-year-old Iranian citizen residing in France, who was arrested in June 2024 by French police for posting content on social media in support of Gaza. Biazar was accused of posing a “serious threat to public order” and was held in administrative detention (detention without trial) for 28 days. Ultimately, he was expelled from France without trial. The Ministry of Interior justified his expulsion by claiming that he had published anti-French material in defense of Gaza and that his presence constituted a threat to public security.
Another case concerned Shahin Hazamy, an independent Iranian-French journalist, who came under severe security and judicial pressure in France for his media activities in support of Palestine. On April 22, 2025, he was violently arrested at his Paris home by ten plainclothes officers who broke down his door without prior notice, in full view of his family. The charge against him was “glorification of terrorism,” primarily due to his reporting on Esfandiari’s case and reposting a viral video of a Palestinian mother speaking during a demonstration in Paris—a video that received more than 50 million views[3]. Despite the absence of clear legal evidence from the authorities, Hazamy was released after several days of temporary detention, but remains subject to restrictions, including the confiscation of his media equipment, a travel ban, and a requirement to report weekly to judicial authorities[4].
Anasse Kazib, a left-wing political activist and spokesperson for the group Révolution Permanente, has also faced prosecution for “glorification of terrorism” over posts on the social network X expressing support for Palestine. These included statements such as “Long live Palestinian resistance” and “Defense of the surprise attack against the colonial Israeli regime,” which were treated as the basis for prosecution. The case was initiated following a complaint filed in January 2024 by the association Jeunes Juifs de France (Young Jews of France), which targeted about 40 public, cultural, and political figures in France for supporting Palestine. Kazib was due to be tried in June 2025 in Paris but, due to court backlogs, his trial was postponed until June 2026. He has argued that this delay demonstrates how political support for Palestine is treated with indifference by the French judiciary. If convicted, Anasse Kazib faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison[5].
Another case involved Jean-Paul Delescaut, secretary of the CGT trade union in northern France, who was prosecuted and arrested for issuing a statement in support of the Palestinian people. Published only two days after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, the statement declared: “The crimes resulting from Israel’s illegal occupation had accumulated, and as of Saturday, they are receiving a response of which they themselves are the cause.” Local authorities interpreted these remarks as justifying violence and glorifying terrorism. Following a formal complaint, police raided the homes of Delescaut and one of his colleagues at dawn on October 20, 2023, arresting them on charges of “glorification of terrorism” and “incitement to racial hatred[6].”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the leftist party La France Insoumise (LFI), also came under intense political and media attack in France after the Gaza war erupted in October 2023 because of his outspoken support for the Palestinian people. Mélenchon declared that “violence is the child of occupation” and demanded an immediate end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. These remarks were denounced by figures such as Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and right-wing groups as “anti-Semitic.” Calls were made to exclude LFI from French political life altogether. In parallel, some media outlets limited or censored coverage of Mélenchon, and opponents demanded the dissolution of his party[7].
Similarly, Danièle Obono, an LFI Member of Parliament, faced prosecution following her statements in an October 2023 radio interview. In response to a question about the recent conflict in Palestine, she described Hamas as a “resistance movement” and distinguished between its political and military branches. This triggered a strong backlash from the French government. The Interior Minister announced that her comments would be referred to the prosecutor’s office under the charge of “glorification of terrorism.” A case was subsequently opened against her for allegedly supporting Hamas. Obono, however, insisted that her remarks were merely a political analysis with no intention other than to differentiate between the organization’s functions[8].
Mathilde Panot, head of the LFI parliamentary group in the National Assembly, was also questioned by police following the publication of an official LFI statement on the Hamas-Israel conflict. The statement analyzed Hamas’s armed assault on Israel as part of the escalation of Israeli occupation policies. As a result, on April 30, 2024, Panot was summoned by the Paris judicial police to provide explanations concerning possible “defense of terrorism.”
Rima Hassan, an LFI candidate in the European Parliament elections, was interrogated by French anti-terrorism police over social media posts in support of Palestinian resistance. According to reports, her online content included messages defending the Palestinian struggle, which prosecutors framed as “public promotion of terrorist acts” under counter-terrorism law[9].
Beyond politics, prominent figures outside the political arena have also faced repercussions. Émilie Gomis, a former player of the French national basketball team and 2012 London Olympic silver medalist, encountered serious legal and professional consequences after posting an Instagram story. Two days after the October 7 attacks, she shared an image in which the French flag gradually morphed into the Israeli flag, with the caption: “In such a situation, what would you do?” Although she quickly deleted the post and publicly apologized, anti-racism organizations filed lawsuits against her. The Paris prosecutor’s office subsequently opened a preliminary investigation for “glorification of terrorism” in December 2023. Concurrent media and institutional pressure forced her to resign from her role as “Olympics Ambassador for Paris 2024[10].”
Mohamed Makni, a 73-year-old city council member in Échirolles near Grenoble and a veteran anti-colonial activist, was also prosecuted and ultimately convicted for a Facebook post in October 2023. Days after the Gaza war began, he wrote in a Facebook group: “They (Westerners) are quick to label as terrorism what we regard as an act of obvious resistance”—a statement echoing remarks by a former Tunisian minister[11]. French security and judicial authorities treated this as justification of Hamas’s actions and glorification of terrorism, resulting in legal proceedings against him. In February 2024, he was tried in a lower court, and on appeal, the Grenoble Court of Appeal issued its final judgment on September 26, 2024: a four-month suspended prison sentence, two years’ deprivation of civil and electoral rights, and a €1,200 fine payable to two Jewish organizations, including the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF)[12]. Makni denied the charges and announced his intention to appeal to the French Court of Cassation.
Another notable case involved Ismaïl Bendjilali, also known as Imam Ismaïl, a 40-year-old cleric in Marseille. In July 2024, he reposted a video on social media with a caption describing Hamas’s October 7 attack as an act of self-defense. The Marseille prosecutor’s office deemed this “promotion of terrorism.” On May 30, 2025, a Marseille court sentenced him to six months’ suspended imprisonment, a €2,000 fine, and a five-year deprivation of civic rights, including the right to vote and hold public office[13].
Ismaël Boudjekada, a city council member in the Doubs region, has faced repeated legal prosecutions for his outspoken pro-Hamas views. In May 2025, he was detained at Basel-Mulhouse Airport upon re-entry into France and interrogated on charges of “glorification of terrorism.” He was held in temporary detention for two days[14]. Previously, in June 2024, he had been sentenced to three years’ disqualification from elected office and fined for similar remarks[15]. His case is still ongoing, with a final hearing scheduled for October 23, 2025.
François Burgat, a prominent political scientist and Arab world expert, was also prosecuted for his pro-Palestinian statements and criticism of Israeli attacks on Gaza. Arrested briefly on July 9, 2024, he was tried on April 24, 2025, in Aix-en-Provence, following a complaint by the Jewish organization OJE[16]. The main charge was his comparison of “the legitimate Palestinian struggle with Algeria’s anti-colonial movements[17].” The prosecutor sought an eight-month suspended sentence and a €4,000 fine, but the court ultimately acquitted him.
Finally, Sihame Assbague, journalist, researcher, and anti-racism activist, reported in April 2024 that she had been summoned by French police for comments on the October 7 attacks and the Gaza war. The summons, part of a preliminary investigation into “promotion of terrorism,” stemmed from her pro-Palestinian social media posts. Assbague rejected the allegations, describing the police action as political pressure against dissenting voices. She also highlighted that many others had faced similar measures, including house arrests, home searches, suspensions from employment, and expulsions from educational institutions[18]. As of mid-2025, her case remained under preliminary investigation without any indictment or trial.
The review of these cases, alongside France’s official responses since the Gaza war of October 2023, demonstrates a structural, deliberate, and escalating pattern of judicial, security, and media repression. This trend has not been confined to political activists or opposition parties but has encompassed a wide range of society: Members of Parliament, party leaders, civil activists, journalists, students, researchers, clerics, and even professional athletes. A common feature in most of these cases is the charge of “glorification of terrorism,” interpreted expansively and through a security lens by government authorities. Under this approach, any expression of solidarity with Palestine or criticism of Israeli policies—whether analytical commentary, political slogans, or references to historical anti-colonial struggles—has been criminalized. The continuation of this policy not only undermines public trust in the impartiality of the justice system but also fosters the suspension of fundamental freedoms in a country that portrays itself as a global defender of human rights.
Challenges and Responses
- Domestic Reactions
The French government framed the case of Mahdieh Esfandiari strictly within a security and judicial context, initially attempting to withhold public disclosure. However, under mounting media pressure, it was forced to provide some explanations. The Paris Prosecutor’s Office announced that she was being prosecuted for promoting terrorist acts and inciting hatred against the Jewish community, considering her Telegram posts as digital evidence for these charges. Mainstream French media outlets—such as Le Monde and Le Point—largely aligned themselves with the government’s narrative.
According to Le Monde (April 18, 2025), the case of Mahdieh Esfandiari, a 35-year-old Iranian woman residing in Lyon, who was arrested on February 28 and placed in pre-trial detention on charges of “glorification of terrorism,” became a point of tension between Iran and France. While Iran portrayed her as a pro-Palestinian activist, French officials raised doubts about the nature of her activities, suggesting that the case might impact ongoing negotiations over the release of French citizens detained in Iran, such as Jacques Paris and Cécile Kohler. Le Monde wrote that Esfandiari’s arrest formed part of a broader judicial case under the supervision of the PNLH. According to the prosecutor’s office, her charges included “glorification of terrorism,” “incitement to terrorism,” “religious and racial insult,” and “refusal to provide social media passwords”—an investigation launched after a Ministry of Interior report on October 30, 2023[19].
Similarly, a Le Point article entitled “L’explosive affaire Esfandiari, Iranienne emprisonnée en France pour «apologie du terrorisme»” confirmed her detention and listed her charges as “glorification of terrorism,” “incitement to terrorism,” “insults against the Jewish community,” and “refusal to provide social media passwords.” It emphasized that her case had been pursued at the direct order of the Interior Minister through the PNLH. The article portrayed the affair as having sensitive diplomatic implications, suggesting that France’s silence and Iran’s protests had transformed it into a geopolitical matter. While acknowledging criticisms—such as those voiced by journalist Shahin Hazamy—regarding the criminalization of solidarity with Gaza, Le Point also highlighted the possibility that her activism might be linked to “state-backed projects” by Tehran, thereby attempting to frame her actions not as free expression but as part of Iranian state influence[20].
On the other hand, independent outlets took a different stance. The website La Cause du Peuple, for example, condemned the arrest, calling it part of France’s growing repression of voices critical of Israeli crimes in Gaza. According to this outlet, Esfandiari was arrested in Lyon on February 28 on charges of “glorification of terrorism,” but the Paris Prosecutor’s Office only publicly confirmed the matter on April 12—after persistent pressure from her family and intervention by the Iranian Embassy. The report further speculated that France might be exploiting Esfandiari’s case as a political bargaining tool—a form of hostage-taking—in light of the simultaneous detention of two French nationals in Iran on espionage charges[21].
- International Reactions
The arrest of an Iranian national in Europe on charges related to support for the Palestinian cause immediately provoked strong reactions from Iranian authorities. In the early days after the case became public, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d’affaires of the French Embassy in Tehran to convey a formal protest. By spring 2025, more than 42 diplomatic and legal démarches had been undertaken by Iran regarding the case.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, repeatedly raised the issue in press conferences, demanding immediate clarification from France. He invoked the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and France’s human rights obligations, stressing that Paris bore clear responsibilities that it had thus far failed to fulfill. Similarly, Vahid Jalalzadeh, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular and Expatriates’ Affairs, after meeting Esfandiari’s family, described France’s behavior as a form of “hostage-taking by a country that claims to defend freedom of expression[22].”
Iran’s Permanent Mission in Geneva also raised the case at the UN Human Rights Council (March 2025), issuing a formal statement describing Esfandiari’s detention as “arbitrary and contrary to fundamental human rights principles[23].” It called for her immediate and unconditional release. The Mission further referred the case to UN special procedures, including the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls, requesting urgent action.
On social media, Iranian users widely condemned France’s action, expressing solidarity with Esfandiari through hashtags such as #FreeMahdieh. Many accused France of hypocrisy—allowing blasphemous cartoons against Islamic sanctities in the name of free expression while criminalizing moral support for Palestinians as terrorism. Press TV published an analytical note titled “France’s War on Truth: Why Mahdieh Esfandiari’s arrest, mistreatment should alarm us all”, arguing that her only “crime” was defending the human ideal of Palestine[24]. The Tehran Times compared her detention with France’s continuous supply of arms to Israel, framing it as proof of Paris’s double standards: silencing pro-Palestinian voices domestically while fueling Israel’s war machine abroad[25]. Similarly, Al Mayadeen described the arrest as evidence of Israeli lobby influence pressuring European governments to suppress dissent against Israeli crimes[26].
At the intergovernmental level, European governments and France’s close allies mostly offered implicit support for Paris, interpreting the arrest within the framework of legitimate counter-terrorism. However, independent international actors, including human rights NGOs and civil society figures, expressed serious concern. While many did not explicitly mention Esfandiari by name, they warned of the shrinking space for freedom of expression amid the Gaza war. For example, Amnesty International in its annual report noted the regression of civil rights in Europe and condemned the repression of pro-Palestinian protests in countries like France, even if it did not identify individuals. Previously, TIME published an analysis titled “In Europe, Free Speech Is Under Threat for Pro-Palestine Protesters”, warning that governments including France and Germany had banned or restricted demonstrations under the pretext of “public order,” raising grave human rights concerns. Similarly, a CIVICUS Monitor report highlighted that even democratic states such as France, Germany, and the United States had imposed restrictions on pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including bans, arrests, and new legislation[27].
- Legal and Normative Challenges: Reconciling “Glorification of Terrorism” with Fundamental Freedoms
The case of Mahdieh Esfandiari serves as a prominent case study exposing the tension between France’s expansive criminalization of “glorification of terrorism” and international standards on freedom of expression and fair trial. Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (Articles 19 and 21) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) (Article 10), any restriction on fundamental freedoms must meet the cumulative criteria of clear legality and foreseeability, pursuit of a legitimate aim, and necessity and proportionality in a democratic society.
However, the broad and vague application of “glorification of terrorism” in France blurs the line between legitimate political expression and criminal incitement to violence, creating a chilling effect on civic participation and criticism of Israeli policies. From a normative standpoint, this approach is inconsistent with the Rabat Plan of Action, which requires the presence of essential elements such as intent, a causal link between speech and imminent violence, and a real capacity of the speech to produce actual harm. In most French cases, these conditions are absent. Thus, criminalizing solidarity with Palestine or political analysis of occupation constitutes over-criminalization and a violation of the principle of proportionality.
In addition, prolonged pre-trial detention, extended solitary confinement, and religious–cultural deprivations (from forced unveiling to denial of halal food and restrictions on religious practice) in Esfandiari’s case represent clear violations of the Nelson Mandela Rules, the principle of non-discrimination (Articles 2 and 26 of the ICCPR), and freedom of religion and conscience (Article 18 ICCPR). The delays in consular access also contravene Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, undermining the legitimacy of judicial proceedings.
Beyond the individual case, this reflects the normalization of security-driven interpretations of political speech across Europe. Academic and media analyses of resistance movements—and even references to historical anti-colonial struggles—are increasingly threatened with criminalization.
From a policy perspective, the solution lies in redefining the narrow scope of the offense of “glorification of terrorism” in line with Rabat criteria, issuing prosecutorial guidelines anchored in necessity and least-intrusive means, ensuring prompt and independent judicial oversight, and safeguarding the full rights of suspects during detention. Without such reforms, the continuation of this approach risks eroding democratic legitimacy, undermining public confidence in judicial impartiality, and effectively suspending civil rights in a country that claims to be a global defender of free expression.
Conclusion
The detention of Mahdieh Esfandiari in France has become a striking example of the gap between the country’s proclaimed human rights commitments and its actual domestic and foreign policies. Her prolonged pre-trial detention—solely for expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people through media activity—has raised serious concerns about the independence and impartiality of the French judiciary. Iranian officials have even characterized this as a form of “judicial hostage-taking.”
This case exposes a stark contradiction: on the one hand, France defends the publication of offensive caricatures against religious symbols in the name of free expression; on the other hand, it treats expressions of solidarity with the victims of bombardment and occupation as threats to national security. Such double standards severely undermine the moral foundation and legitimacy of France’s global claims to champion fundamental freedoms in the eyes of international public opinion.
The implications of this case extend far beyond the legal and judicial sphere, spilling over into diplomatic relations between Iran and France. Growing public awareness and extensive media coverage have generated waves of criticism and protest within French academic, civil society, and even parts of the media landscape. This, in turn, has exerted mounting pressure on Paris to reconsider its security-oriented approach toward political activism.
Against this backdrop, the fate of Mahdieh Esfandiari’s case carries heightened significance: not only as a factor influencing political and diplomatic relations between Tehran and Paris, but also as a symbol of civic resistance within Europe. She has become a prominent figure in the discourse on freedom of expression and justice—a symbol that may shape the future of pro-Palestinian activism in Europe and help redefine the balance between security, fundamental freedoms, and social justice in Western societies.
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[20] Arefi, A. & Buisson, S. (2025, April 12). The Iranian Mahdieh Esfandiari is indeed imprisoned in France. Le Point. From: https://www.lepoint.fr/monde/l-iranienne-mahdieh-esfandiari-est-bien-emp risonnee-en-france-12-04-2025-2587193_24.php
[21] Cause du Peuple. (2025, April 24). Solidarity with Mahdieh Esfandiari and all pro-Palestinian activists facing repression. Cause du Peuple. From: https://www.causedupeuple.net/2025/04/24/solidarite-avec-mahdieh-esfandiari-et-tous-militants-pro-palestiniens-qui-font-face-a-la-repression/
[22] WANA. (2025, June 11). Iran pushes for temporary release of Mahdieh Esfandiari from French detention. WANA. From: https://wanaen.com/iran-pushes-for-temporary-release-of-mahdieh-esfandiari-from-french-detention/
[23] AsrIran. (2025, June 26). Urgent request by Iran to France for the release of Mahdieh Esfandiari. AsrIran. From: https://www.asriran.com/fa/news/1072121
[24] Poureisa, N. (2025, June 7). France’s war on truth: Why Mahdieh Esfandiari’s arrest, mistreatment should alarm us all. Press TV. From: https://www.presstv.co.uk/Detail/2025/06/07/749370/france‑war‑truth‑why‑mahdieh‑esfandiari‑arrest‑mistreatment‑alarm‑all
[25] Tehran Times. (2025, June 10). ‘She is a hostage;’ Iranian academic faces solitary confinement in France for Palestine advocacy. Tehran Times. From: https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/514160/She-is-a-hostage-Iranian-academic-faces-solitary-confinement
[26] Al Mayadeen English. (2025, June 1). Iran condemns Mahdieh Esfandiari’s detention in France. Al Mayadeen. From: https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran-condemns-mahdieh-esfandiari-s-detention-in-france
[27] Serhan, Y. (2024, December 4). New Report Details How Pro-Palestinian Protests Are Suppressed in Democratic Countries. TIME. From: https://time.com/7199769/pro-palestine-protests-suppressed-democratic-countries/
