Fariba Adelkhah returns to France after nearly four years in captivity in Iran 

Paris, 18 October 2023 - Sciences Po is relieved to announce the return to France of Fariba Adelkhah, a Franco-Iranian researcher at Sciences Po’s Centre for international studies (CERI). She was detained in Iran from June 2019 to February 2023.

A recognised specialist in Shiism and post-revolutionary Iran, Fariba Adelkhah was sentenced in May 2020 to five years' imprisonment. Since then, the Sciences Po communities have relentlessly called for her release.

On Tuesday, Fariba Adelkhah finally returned to France. On her arrival at the airport, she was greeted by Béatrice Hibou, president of her support committee, and Mathias Vicherat, director of Sciences Po.

"After she has been deprived of her freedom for so long, what a thrill it is to welcome back our colleague Fariba, a symbol of our battle for academic freedom! I solemnly thank the French authorities for their unremitting action, the support committee and all those who worked for her release. I look forward to seeing Fariba back at Sciences Po, her home, soon." Mathias Vicherat - Director of Sciences Po.

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