A Frenchman who has been in Iranian prison for more than two years has been released. Oliver Grondow, 34, who was released, had been in an Iranian prison since October 2022.

Arrested in southern Iran, Grondo was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of "conspiracy against the Islamic Republic". But his family has denied the allegations.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the release of Gondo and said that he is free. "Grondo, 34, has already met his loved ones," Macron wrote on social network X. Macron says that efforts are also being made for the release of other citizens in Iran. "We will continue our efforts to ensure the release of the other two French citizens detained by Iran," he said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barot issued a statement on "X" and posted a photo of Grondo inside the plane. "Grondo, who was held hostage for 887 days in Iran, has been reunited with his family, loved ones and his country. This is a great relief," he wrote. 

Speaking publicly for the first time since his arrest in January, Grondo said he was being held "hostage" by Iranian authorities. His family said that he was a fan of Persian poetry and went to Iran on a tourist visa during his world tour. 

Two other French citizens are currently detained in Iran. Teacher Cecile Kohler and her friend Jack Parris were arrested in May 2022. They have been accused of trying to stir up the labor movement.  But their families have denied it. 

There are growing concerns about their health and France has repeatedly lobbied for their release. "Cecil Kohler and Jacques Paris should be released from Iranian prisons," French President Macron said in his post on Thursday.

Human rights groups say that tourists and dual citizens are often held to meet certain demands in diplomatic negotiations and are released only if they get something in return.