00:00Now, meanwhile, the French courts are due to hand down their verdict today
00:04in the trial of the Iranian Madi Asfandiari for glorifying terrorism.
00:08Now, she's a possible bargaining chip in negotiations with Tehran
00:12for the release of the French nationals Céline Collet and Jacques Paris,
00:16who were being held at the French embassy in Iran.
00:19Now, at a hearing last month, the prosecution had been seeking
00:22a four-year prison sentence, three suspended for Asfandiari.
00:26Well, let's cross to the court.
00:27We're going to talk to our reporter who joins us from there, Olivia Bezo.
00:30Olivia, a very important judgment to follow today.
00:33What can we expect? Will she be present even?
00:39Hi, Stuart. Yes, well, today the judge will determine the guilt
00:42and the sentencing of Madi Asfandiari.
00:45She's a 39-year-old Iranian who's been living in France since 2018.
00:49Now, she's being accused of provoking and of publicly praising terrorist acts online.
00:56The prosecution has argued that she's at the heart of a massive network called the Axis of Resistance,
01:03which is incredibly popular on Telegram and on X, and it has over 13,000 subscribers.
01:10Now, it has been accused of promoting and praising the 7th of October attacks,
01:17and then of praising the act afterwards.
01:21Now, under French law, using the Internet to promote terrorism carries a sentencing of up to seven years in prison
01:27and a 100,000 euro fine.
01:30But despite that seven-year sentencing, the prosecution is pushing for a four-year sentencing,
01:36with three years suspended.
01:38Now, because she's already served eight months in pre-trial detention,
01:42the prosecution is saying that she wouldn't have to serve any more sale time.
01:48Now, as her defence, Madi Asfandiari has said that she did not personally write the specific posts that are illegal,
01:56and she has defended the content as humanitarian work and resistance for the Palestinians.
02:03Olivia, as I said at the top, though, the ruling could have significant consequences, couldn't it,
02:07for France and for its two last hostages in Iran?
02:14That's right, Stuart.
02:15This is incredibly important for France.
02:17This trial today is, and the verdict that's given,
02:21is seen as a key to an international prisoner swap between France and Iran.
02:26Now, the two French citizens, Cécile Coeur and Jacques Parry, have been held in Iran since 2022.
02:32They were moved from a prison to the French embassy in Tehran in November 2025,
02:38but they're still prohibited of leaving the Iranian territory.
02:42Now, it is believed that the verdict today will determine the fate of those two French citizens.
02:50Now, it's believed that if the judge agrees with the prosecution and the 39 Iranian doesn't have to have any
02:58more sale time,
02:59this could be seen as a sort of legal bridge between the two countries.
03:03It could allow the French to label her as a terrorist,
03:08but it could also satisfy the Iranians by allowing her to return home.
03:12So, we'll have to see what the verdict is today,
03:14but it could definitely determine the fate of those two French citizens
03:18and whether they're allowed to finally return back home to France.
03:22Olivia, thanks very much.
03:23Olivia Bizet joining us there from the court.
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