French Court Sentences Iranian National Mahdieh Esfandiari to Four Years in Prison

A Paris court has sentenced Mahdieh Esfandiari a 39-year-old Iranian citizen to four years in prison. The ruling stipulates that three years of this sentence are suspended while one year is to be served without parole.

In addition to the prison term the court has imposed a permanent ban on her entry into France. Esfandiari was accused of ‘justifying terrorism’ in connection with her activities.

On February 29 2024 just ten days prior to her planned return to Iran Esfandiari was apprehended in Lyon. Her arrest was reportedly linked to her involvement in a Telegram channel that supported the Palestinian people.