Iran allows prison leave for detained French academic -- supporters

Iranian authorities have allowed a French-Iranian academic held in the country for the last three years to take a brief leave from prison, her supporters say.

Fariba Adelkhah has been given a five-day furlough, which can be extended, from Tehran’s Evin prison where she is being held in a case that has raised tensions between Tehran and Paris, a statement from her support group says.

Activists say that at least 20 foreign and dual nationals are being held by Tehran on baseless charges, in a deliberate policy of hostage diplomacy aimed at extracting concessions from the West.

“We are delighted… but can only emphasize that this unacceptable deprivation of liberty is within the framework of a public policy of hostage-taking by Iran,” the supporters add.

Iran allows prison leave for detained French academic — supporters

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