The secretary of Iran's High Council for Human Rights has condemned the arrest of an Iranian national in France, urging his prompt release.
“The arrest of an Iranian national by the French police over his support for the oppressed people of Palestine is another disgrace for France in the field of human rights,” Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X on Wednesday.
“Yesterday, I spoke with his spouse and the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; we’re determined to defend our compatriots. This Iranian national must be freed as soon as possible,” he said.
The official was referring to Bashir Biazar, an Iranian journalist residing in France who was summoned and subsequently detained by the police on Tuesday.
Biazar has been vocal in his support for the Palestinian cause and in bringing attention to the injustices perpetrated by Israel.
The French police have not commented on his arrest yet.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani also reacted to Biazar’s arrest.
“Right after finding out [about the Iranian national’s arrest], the Ministry of Foreign Affairs put pursuing and [ensuring] respect for the rights of this citizen and his most immediate release on its agenda,” the official said in a statement.
The ministry would take necessary measures until realization of the expected outcome, Kan’ani added, pointing to the Iranian national’s eventual release.