Iran – Arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh (April 3, 2026)

France was deeply concerned by the announcement of yesterday’s arrest of lawyer and human rights defender Nasrin Sotoudeh, winner of the Sakharov Prize.

This arrest illustrates yet again the Iranian regime’s systematic policy of persecution and intimidation of human rights activists. It must stop.

France calls for the immediate release of Nasrin Sotoudeh and all those detained arbitrarily in Iran. It expresses its concern over the alarming news concerning the health of Narges Mohammadi. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the Iranian people, who must be able to exercise their fundamental rights and freely choose their own future.