In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday the release of two French citizens, Cécile Kohler, 41, and Jacques Paris, 72, from an Iranian prison after over three years of detention. The pair had been held on espionage charges, which France consistently labeled as baseless. Macron expressed profound relief, describing the release as a “first step” and emphasizing ongoing dialogue with Iranian authorities to facilitate their swift return to France. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that Kohler and Paris are currently safe at the French Residence in Tehran, awaiting their final release. The couple was arrested in May 2022 during a visit to Iran, with Paris condemning their detention as unjustified. Relatives recently shared their anguish after a rare phone call revealed the detainees’ despair. Last month, Iranian media reported that a Revolutionary Court in Tehran had sentenced the pair to a cumulative 63 years in prison on charges of espionage and alleged cooperation with Israel. Western nations have long accused Iran of using foreign prisoners as leverage in diplomatic negotiations, a claim Tehran denies.
2 French nationals freed from Iranian prison after more than 3 years in detention
