France summons Iranian ambassador and denounces “unbearable” situation of French “state hostages”

Three French people have still been detained in Iran since 2022: Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris, and a man named Olivier.

Paris denounces “undignified conditions of detention which, for some, amount to torture under international law.” France summoned the Iranian ambassador to Paris on Friday January 10 to denounce the situation of “state hostages” French detained according to it by the Islamic Republic, announced its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Quai d’Orsay has “reiterated with the greatest firmness” to the Iranian ambassador “our demand for the immediate release of French nationals who are state hostages” of Tehran, whose situation is “intolerable”. “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.

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. “In this context, French nationals are recommended not to travel to Iran” and for those who are already there to leave “due to the risks of arrest and arbitrary detention”insisted the ministry, as it had already done at the beginning of the week.

The young Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was arrested in Tehran on December 19 during a professional trip, before being released and authorized 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, arrested in Milan and detained at the request of Washington since December, several members of the Italian government denied this.