In its initial reaction, the European Commission refused to identify the person, simply indicating the case involved a Swedish national who was being used as a “pawn for political reasons” by the Iranian government.

But on Tuesday, Josep Borrell, who oversees the EEAS, spoke on the record and confirmed the information published by the newspaper, saying Floderus had been “illegally detained.”

“I want to stress that, I personally, all my team, at all levels, the European institutions in close coordination with the Swedish authorities, which have the first responsibility of consular protection, and with his family, have been pushing Iranian authorities to release him,” Borell told journalist while attending a ministerial meeting in Cádiz, Spain.

“Every time we had a diplomatic meeting, at all levels, we had put the issue on the table. Relentlessly, we have been working for the freedom of Mr Floderus. And we will continue doing that in close contact with the family, respecting their will, and for sure with the Swedish government.”

“This is very much in our agenda, in our heart, and we will not stop until Floderus (is) freed,” he added.

According to the New York Times, Floderus had previously visited Iran in his capacity as an EU official but was on a private tourist trip with friends the day he was detained.

Floderus was then charged with “espionage,” an accusation that people familiar with the Swede strongly denied.

In a statement to the newspaper, the family said: “We, Johan’s family, are deeply worried and in despair. Johan was suddenly and without reason deprived of his liberty on a vacation trip and has been in an Iranian prison for more than 500 days.”

Read more on the original:

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/09/05/josep-borrell-confirms-swedish-national-held-prisoner-in-iran-is-an-eu-diplomat