French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Tuesday, January 7, called on French nationals not to travel to Iran until “complete liberation” French prisoners in this country. “The situation of our compatriots hostages in Iran is simply unacceptable, they have been unjustly detained for several years in unworthy conditions”declared the minister during the conference of ambassadors, ensuring that Paris did not forget them “just one second”.
“Since the election of the president [iranien Massoud] Pezeshkian and despite our efforts to engage at the highest level, their situation has deteriorated”continued Mr. Barrot. “I say this to the Iranian authorities: our hostages must be released. Our bilateral relations and the future of sanctions depend on it. And until the complete release of our hostages, I ask our compatriots not to go to Iran”he said.
“State Hostages”
Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, a French couple, have been detained in Iran since May 2022 and accused by the authorities of“espionage”which their relatives deny. A third Frenchman, named Olivier but whose last name has not been made public, has also been imprisoned in Iran since 2022. Paris describes these prisoners as“state hostages”.
Iran, which detains several Western or binational nationals, is accused by their supporters and NGOs of using them as a bargaining chip in state-to-state negotiations. A young Italian journalist, Cecilia Sala, was arrested in Tehran on December 19 during a professional trip. Iran accuses him of having “breaks the laws”. Rome denounced an arrest “unacceptable”.
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