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 Foreign Ministry announced. “We reiterated with the greatest firmness our demand for the immediate release of French nationals who are state hostages” in Tehran, whose situation is “unbearable, with unworthy conditions of detention which, for some, fall under international law into torture,” said the ministry.
Three French people detained
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.
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.
“It is recommended not to travel to Iran”
“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.
Switzerland calls for “a full investigation” into the death of a national in Iran
-Switzerland is calling for “a full investigation” into the circumstances of the death of one of its nationals, whom the Iranian authorities, who accused him of espionage, claim committed suicide in prison. Due to this charge, consular access was refused to Swiss diplomats. The Iranian authorities informed of the suicide of “this 64-year-old man who was traveling to Iran as a tourist and who had not had a home in Switzerland for almost 20 years”, underlines the FDFA, without revealing his identity.
“The repatriation of the body to Switzerland also constitutes an absolute priority and should take place in the coming days,” indicates the Swiss ministry, specifying that “to date, no Swiss national is detained in Iran.”
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.
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 the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani.
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