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French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday that two French nationals have been released from an Iranian prison after more than three years in detention on what Paris called unfounded spying charges.
Cécile Kohler, 41, and her partner Jacques Paris, 72, are now safely housed at the French Embassy in Tehran, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who spoke on France 2 national television.
“I welcome that first step,” Macron wrote on X, expressing “huge relief” at their release. He added that dialogue with Iranian authorities continues to secure their return to France “as soon as possible.”
Barrot confirmed both individuals are “fine” and appear to be in good physical and mental health, describing them as “obviously relieved.” When pressed about the timeline for their potential return to France, he declined to provide specifics, emphasizing the need for continued diplomatic discretion.
“We will continue to work discreetly. That’s in-depth work which is the work of diplomats to ensure their return to France as soon as possible,” Barrot stated.
In Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed the development, stating the two French citizens were released on bail “according to a verdict by related judge and they will be under supervision until next judicial stage.” Baghaei offered no additional details in his statement carried on the ministry’s Telegram channel.
The couple was arrested in May 2022 while visiting Iran. France has consistently denounced their detention as “unjustified and unfounded,” reflecting ongoing tensions between the two nations over what Western countries describe as Iran’s pattern of detaining foreigners as political leverage.
Just last month, Iranian media reported that a Revolutionary Court in Tehran had sentenced the pair to decades in prison. According to the judiciary news agency Mizan, they received cumulative terms totaling 63 years across multiple counts for allegedly “working for French intelligence” and “cooperating with Israel.”
The timing of the release appears significant in the broader context of diplomatic maneuvering between France and Iran. In September, France dropped its case before the International Court of Justice against Iran for violating the right to consular protection of Kohler and Paris. At that time, Iran’s foreign minister suggested the two countries were nearing a prisoner swap arrangement.
Further signaling a potential diplomatic exchange, a Paris court granted conditional release last month to Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian national who had been in custody since February. She faces charges of “inciting terrorism online” and is scheduled for trial in Paris in January. The Paris prosecutor’s office noted she was placed under judicial supervision with a prohibition against leaving French territory.
A committee created in support of Kohler and Paris expressed “immense joy” following news of their release, along with “infinite gratitude to all those in France and elsewhere who have worked tirelessly to make this day possible.”
The case highlights ongoing tensions between Western nations and Iran over detainees. Western governments have repeatedly accused Tehran of using foreign prisoners as bargaining chips in broader diplomatic negotiations, an allegation Iranian authorities consistently reject.
The release represents a potentially significant diplomatic breakthrough, though both individuals remain in Iran for now, with their full return to France still pending additional negotiations between the two governments.
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8 Comments
While the release of the French nationals is a welcome outcome, the broader context of strained France-Iran relations and the use of detentions as political leverage is troubling. Maintaining open diplomatic channels will be crucial going forward.
I agree. Navigating the complex geopolitical dynamics at play here will require nuanced diplomacy and a commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law, even in the face of political tensions.
Glad to hear the French citizens were finally released from Iranian detention after over 3 years. This is an encouraging diplomatic development, though the circumstances around their arrest remain concerning. Hopefully their safe return to France can be expedited through continued quiet diplomacy.
Absolutely, the discretion and diplomatic finesse in handling these sensitive cases is crucial. Maintaining open channels of communication with Iran will be key to ensuring the safe return of the detainees.
The release of these French nationals is a welcome step, but the broader issue of foreign nationals being detained in Iran on dubious charges remains troubling. Resolving such cases requires careful navigation of complex geopolitical dynamics.
You raise a fair point. Iran’s detention of foreign citizens for political leverage is a concerning pattern that the international community must continue to address through diplomatic pressure and principled negotiations.
The release of these French citizens is a positive step, but the circumstances around their detention raise concerns about Iran’s treatment of foreign nationals. Continued diplomatic efforts will be needed to address such cases and improve bilateral relations.
This development is positive news, but the circumstances around the initial detention of these French citizens raises questions about Iran’s treatment of foreign nationals. Transparency and due process are essential, even in sensitive security matters.