France summoned the Iranian ambassador to Paris, Mohammad Amin-Nejad, on Friday January 10, to denounce the situation of “state hostages” French people who are currently detained by the Islamic Republic.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this summons in a press release.
A “demand for immediate release”
“Our demand for the immediate release of French nationals who were state hostages was reiterated to him with the greatest firmness.“from Tehran, we can read in this press release, the terms of which describe a situation”unbearable, with unworthy conditions of detention“.
Some “constitute torture under international law“, estimated the Quai d’Orsay.
Three French people still detained in Iran
Three French people are still detained in Iran. These are Cécile Kohler, associate professor of modern literature, and her companion Jacques Paris, arrested in 2022 for “espionage” while traveling in Iran.
Another Frenchman, named Olivier, has also been detained in Iran since 2022. His last name has not been made public.
In its press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that “the mobilization of the French authorities to obtain the release“of these hostages, as well as”to support their families and loved ones“, remains “total“.
The ministry also asks French nationals to “not to go to Iran“. “For those who are already passing through, it is recommended to leave Iranian territory immediately due to the risks of arrest and arbitrary detention.“, he recalls.
The Iranian ambassador had already been summoned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last April. The Quai d’Orsay then reminded him of the French condemnation of the attack perpetrated by Iran against Israel. Since then, a French hostage, Louis Arnaud, has been released by Iran, after two years of detention.
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