Former Director of Islamic Republic Television Arrives in Tehran After Expulsion from France

Bashir Bi-Azar, a former manager of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, arrived in Tehran early on Thursday, July 14, after being expelled from France. Mr. Bi-Azar, the former head of the music department of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, was arrested on June 14 in Dijon, France, and was in administrative detention during his expulsion order. Mohammad Mahdi Rahimi, the director of public relations for the Iranian presidency, announced on Wednesday, July 13, via X (formerly Twitter) that Mr. Bi-Azar is on his way to Iran. This comes as the human rights organization 'Justice for Iran' reported on July 1 that a complaint had been filed in the French judiciary against Bashir Bi-Azar for torture and human rights violations. Shirin Ardakani, a lawyer, told Agence France-Presse that there are 'serious indications' that Mr. Bi-Azar personally participated in the recording of forced confession interviews with Iranian and foreign prisoners. Meanwhile, Bashir Bi-Azar's lawyer described his arrest and planned expulsion as 'political.' Earlier last month, Nasser Kan'ani, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, expressed hope that he would be 'released as soon as possible' and emphasized that the Foreign Ministry would continue to take necessary measures until the desired outcome is achieved. Despite the statements from Bi-Azar's defense attorney and Iranian officials, French media reported that the country's security agencies consider him an infiltrator of the Islamic Republic and linked to the Quds Force of the IRGC. In recent months, Bashir Bi-Azar has been active on social media, making strong statements in support of Palestinians during the conflict between Israel and the extremist group Hamas in Gaza. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. Currently, three French citizens described by Paris as 'state hostages' are imprisoned in Iran.