The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, called, on Sunday 10 December, for the release of Swedish national and European official Johan Floderus (see EUROPE 13243/24), whose trial began on Saturday 9 December in Iran.
Mr Floderus is accused of “corruption on Earth” and of having participated in “extensive measures against the security of Iran and extensive intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime”. He faces the death penalty.
“As the EU, we have been very clear from the beginning: Mr Floderus is innocent. There are absolutely no grounds for keeping Johan Floderus in detention”, stressed the High Representative in a press release, calling for his immediate release.
Mr Borrell pointed out that he had persistently raised Mr Floderus’ case at every occasion and in contact with the Iranian authorities since his detention, requesting his liberation. “We are seeking clarification and more information from them, in closest coordination with the Swedish authorities who bear the consular responsibility”, he added.
The High Representative promised that the EU would continue to work “tirelessly” to obtain the release of Mr Floderus and other EU nationals like him who are “arbitrarily detained in Iran”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)