The mother of a French traveler detained in Iran for two years says authorities "know he is innocent" but are still holding him in the country's notorious Evin prison.

Olivier Grondeau, 33, was arrested in his hotel room in Shiraz, southern Iran, on October 12, 2022, just days after the "Women, Life, Freedom" anti-government protests that swept the country The past few weeks. The writer, poet and bookseller came to this country for a world tour.

For two years, he has asked his family to keep the case secret so as not to hamper diplomatic efforts. After those efforts stalled, he decided to go public this month, allowing his family to release recordings of him accusing Iran of using him to carry out "political blackmail" against France.

His mother, Thérèse Grondeau, told the Guardian: “In the weeks after his arrest, I didn’t know if my son was dead, alive, or in hospital. . That was the darkest moment.”

He was sentenced to five years in prison for "gathering information to hand over to enemy spy agencies." He categorically denies the charges and maintains his innocence.

Teresa said Grondeau's friends and family were concerned about his decision to remain anonymous, while French authorities continued diplomatic efforts that were ongoing.

"He was exhausted weeks before he revealed his identity, and now that his name is out in the media it's really boosted his morale. Other than that, he's a very private person," she said.

Grondeau told French authorities in an audio message broadcast on French radio that he was "depleted" of strength, as were French detainee teacher Cécile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris ". They were arrested in May 2022 and accused of inciting labor protests while en route to Iran, a charge their families strongly deny.

"You have a responsibility to ensure the survival of three people," Grondeau said.

In a dictated letter he sent home and published in Le Monde, he said he was "kidnapped" by four men waiting outside his hotel in Shiraz and locked in a windowless room . Among the foreigners arrested during the same period was 24-year-old Spanish tourist Ana Baneira, who was released in February 2023 after four months in detention. Friends of Olivier revealed that he developed a close relationship with Banella during the trip.

He spent the first day blindfolded and handcuffed. Ten days later, his family was notified that his phone was unreachable. After initially being detained by police in Shiraz, he was sent to custody in Evin, Tehran. On November 16, 2022, one month after his arrest, his family showed the first "sign of life." It was only when he was re-transferred from Evin to Shiraz, 72 days after his arrest, that he was able to call his family for the first time.

Speaking about his prison conditions, his friend Tristan Bultiauw said: "We only found out later, during his initial police detention, that the prison conditions were terrible. He was in an overcrowded cell, Sleeping on the floor."

Olivier has since been transferred back to Avon Prison, which has housed some high-profile international prisoners in the past. Bourdieu added that he "did not disclose the true circumstances of his imprisonment in Avon and tried to reassure his family and friends, despite the pain he suffered".

His mother revealed that his calls to his family from Avon were always monitored by guards. "It was easier to make calls when he was in Shiraz, but in Avon we didn't know when he was calling. It was always controlled."

Asked if she had anything to say to the authorities in the Islamic Republic, she said: "I have nothing to say, except that they know he is innocent and his file is empty."

Olivier's identity was revealed just days after Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was released from prison this month. Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni's office said her quick release was the result of "intensive work carried out through diplomatic and intelligence channels."

Teresa said: "We have made a huge diplomatic effort and every country deals with the problem differently so we can't compare. It doesn't affect me at all, I'm very happy for Cecilia and hope Others will be released soon."

Olivier's family said they could send him books and allow him consular visits every two to three months. Teresa said she spent time doing research for Olivier, organizing belongings and collecting the books he requested.

His mother and friends also said that despite spending two years and three months in prison, he continued to send birthday wishes to his friends and remembered all their birthdays.

"He was a foodie. He had his mom bake a cake for each of us," Bourdieu said. "He was truly a very special friend to all of us."