France Demands Immediate Release of Two Citizens Held by Iran on Spy Charges

France has strongly condemned Iran for detaining two of its citizens, Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, on what it describes as "unjustified and unfounded" spy charges. The pair, who have been held in Iran for over three years, were arrested in May 2022 and have been accused of spying for Israel, a claim denied by French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Despite Barrot's call for their immediate release, the two citizens remain detained, with their current location unknown. Their relatives have expressed extreme worry about their psychological state and the trauma of recent Israeli airstrikes on the prison where they were initially held.

Key Takeaways:

• Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French citizens, have been detained in Iran for over three years on spy charges, which France describes as "unjustified and unfounded."
• French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has denied the accusation that the pair were spying for Israel and called for their "immediate, unconditional release."
• The pair was initially held in Tehran's Evin Prison, a notorious jail known for detaining dual nationals and foreigners, and were moved to a prison south of Tehran after recent Israeli airstrikes.
• The two citizens face serious charges, including trying to overthrow the Iranian regime and "corruption on Earth," which could result in the death penalty.
• The French government has been in contact with Iran, but official charges have never been formally communicated.
• The families of Kohler and Paris are extremely worried about their psychological state and the trauma caused by recent airstrikes on the prison.

Statistics:

• Over three years in detention
• 40 years old: the age of Cecile Kohler
• 72 years old: the age of Jacques Paris
• 2: the number of French citizens detained in Iran
• May 2022: month and year of arrest
• Tehran's Evin Prison: location where the pair was initially held
• Prison south of Tehran: current location of Kohler and Paris

Sources:

• BFM TV interview with Noemie, sister of Cecile Kohler
• Statement from French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot
• Times of Israel report on Israeli airstrikes on Evin Prison
• Report on human rights abuses in Iran, including detentions and torture