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Iranian Student Returns Home After Controversial French Detention

4/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Iranian state television reports Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian student, returned to Iran after her release in France.
The report notes two French nationals left Iran after three-and-a-half years in detention on security charges.
Esfandiari was convicted in February for glorifying terrorism through anti-Israel posts and served nearly a year in prison.
She criticized the French legal system, saying there is no freedom of speech and the ruling was unjust.

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Story summary

Iranian state television reports Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian student, returned to Iran after her release in France.
The report notes two French nationals left Iran after three-and-a-half years in detention on security charges.
Esfandiari was convicted in February for glorifying terrorism through anti-Israel posts and served nearly a year in prison.
She criticized the French legal system, saying there is no freedom of speech and the ruling was unjust.