Olivier Grondeau, a Frenchman held in Iran since October 2022, revealed his identity and expressed exhaustion in an audio message on a French radio station, along with two other detainees, Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, accused of stirring up labor protests. Grondeau was sentenced to five years in prison for “conspiracy against the Islamic republic,” a charge his family denies as he was a tourist with a passion for Persian poetry. The French government has protested their detention, citing undignified conditions and possible torture, while tensions rose after the release of an Italian journalist, prompting diplomatic efforts for the trio’s freedom.
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Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire deal
The Israeli cabinet voted to approve a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, ending days of uncertainty about the truce going into effect this weekend. The ceasefire is set to begin Sunday, halting fighting in Gaza's deadliest-ever war and enabling the release of hostages held by Hamas since October 7, 2023. The deal was supported by outgoing US President Joe Biden's team and will lead to the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages,...
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