The Iranian ambassador in Paris was summoned by France to denounce the situation of French “state hostages” detained, according to her, by the Islamic Republic. To date, three French people are still detained in Iran.
France summoned the Iranian ambassador to Paris on Friday to denounce the situation of French “state hostages” held, according to it, by the Islamic Republic, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a press release.
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“Our demand for the immediate release of French nationals who are state hostages” in Tehran was reiterated with the greatest firmness, whose situation is “unbearable, with unworthy conditions of detention which, for some, fall under international law into torture,” the ministry said.
Three French people detained in Iran
Three French people are still detained in Iran. A couple, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, have been detained since May 2022 and accused by the authorities of “espionage”, which their relatives deny. A third, named Olivier but whose last name has not been made public, has also been detained since 2022.
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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. “The mobilization of the French authorities to obtain the release of our compatriots and support their families and loved ones remains total,” added the Quai d’Orsay.
“In this context, it is recommended that French nationals not go to Iran” and those who are already there to leave “due to the risks of arrest and arbitrary detention,” he insisted. , as he had already done at the start of the week.
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Italian journalist released
A young Italian journalist was arrested in Tehran on December 19 during a professional trip before being released and allowed to return to Italy on Wednesday.
Cecilia Sala was arrested a few days after the arrests in the United States and Italy of two Iranians suspected by American justice of the transfer of sensitive technologies.
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Asked whether Italy had obtained his release in exchange for a commitment to free Mohammad Abedini, detained at Washington’s request since December, several members of the Italian government denied this.
“The Iranians themselves have separated the two cases,” assured Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
