Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


France: Franco-Iranian Academic Arrested in Iran, Allegedly for Spying

VOA News

   A Franco-Iranian academic has been arrested in Iran and denied access
   to consular staff, the French Foreign Ministry said Monday.

   Fariba Adelkhah, an anthropologist at the French university Sciences
   Po, was arrested for allegedly spying , according to Iranian media
   outlets. Separately, the Reuters news agency reports she was arrested
   in June.

   "The French authorities in this difficult context have taken steps with
   Iranian authorities to get information from them on her situation and
   the conditions of her arrest and asked for consular access as is
   foreseen in these circumstances, necessary precursor for her quick
   release," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said in a
   statement.

   "No satisfactory response has been given to these requests. France
   calls on the Iranian authorities to bring to light Mrs. Adelkhah's
   situation and reiterates its requests, in particular the authorization
   of consular access without delay," she also said.

   Iranian officials have not confirmed the charges.

   The arrest comes as many European nations seek to de-escalate tensions,
   following the United States' withdrawal from a 2015 international Iran
   nuclear deal.

.