Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, gives an introductory remark on the Swedish national held in prison in Iran during the plenary session in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - Iran (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Sweden (T)

president's agenda

Resumption of session and order of business: Introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the Swedish national held in prison in Iran

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, First of all, my first announcement is about Swedish nationals in Iran. Last week, we marked two years since Swedish national and EU official Johan Floderus was illegally detained in Iran. This week, Professor Ahmadreza Djalali, also a Swedish national, will have been jailed for eight years, making him the longest EU national held in Iran. On this sad anniversary, the European Parliament once again condemns their arrest by the Iranian regime in the strongest possible terms.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Last week, I joined Commissioner Johansson at a vigil. We held with Johan Floderus’ loved ones. As I reiterated this Parliament's support, we will continue to work tirelessly to secure the release of our friends Johan, Ahmadreza and that of all those being held on trumped up charges. We will have a point of order later. I will give the floor to all colleagues who would like to take the floor.