A French court is set to deliver its verdict in the trial of Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandiari, who is accused of promoting and inciting terrorism over social media posts related to the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Prosecutors have requested a four-year prison sentence, with three years suspended, though they said she does not need to return to custody. Her lawyer has called for her acquittal.

Esfandiari’s case is closely linked to a possible prisoner exchange between France and Iran. Iranian authorities have indicated they are prepared to exchange her for French nationals Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were previously detained in Iran on espionage charges their families deny. The French government has not confirmed whether such a deal exists.

The outcome of the trial is being closely watched amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and broader diplomatic strains. Iranian officials have said an agreement in principle has been reached for an exchange, pending the completion of legal proceedings in France, while Paris has described its citizens as state hostages held to extract concessions.