PARIS (Reuters) – France reiterates its demand for the immediate release of two French nationals arrested last May in Iran and denounces an “unworthy” staging of their alleged confessions, the Quai d’Orsay said on Thursday.
“Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris have been arbitrarily detained in Iran since May 2022, and as such constitute state hostages,” said a spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The staging of their alleged confessions is unworthy, revolting, unacceptable and contrary to international law”, continues the spokesperson for the Quai d’Orsay. “This charade reveals the contempt for human dignity that characterizes the Iranian authorities.”
The National Federation of Education, Culture and Vocational Training-Force Ouvrière told Reuters last May that Cécile Kohler, in charge of international relations for the union, had traveled to Iran on a “private tourist trip During the Easter holidays”.
The union had also specified that Cécile Kohler was traveling with her spouse Jacques Paris.
Their arrest came at a time when negotiations between Iran and international powers, including France, for a relaunch of the agreement on the Iranian nuclear program were at a standstill.
According to Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, the two nationals were arrested for seeking to “cause chaos and social disorder with the aim of destabilizing” Iran.
“France condemns with the greatest vigor the inhuman and disgraceful treatment that the Iranian regime is thus inflicting on our compatriots,” said the Quai d’Orsay.
“We hold the Iranian authorities responsible for their fate and their treatment, as for all French nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran at this time.”
Another Frenchman, Benjamin Brière, was sentenced last January by Tehran to eight years and eight months in prison for “espionage”, for having taken photos in May 2020 of “prohibited areas” with a drone during his stay. always presented as a tourist trip in the north of the country.
(Report John Irish, French version Matthieu Protard, edited by Sophie Louet and Kate Entringer)