Today, we return to news which raises concerns about the situation of two French nationals detained in Iran. Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were arrested in Iran in May 2022 and now face espionage charges that could lead to a trial. This news reinforces the fears of their loved ones who, since their arrest, have organized several rallies in France to demand their release and denounce their precarious conditions of detention at Evin prison in Tehran.
Iranian justice has officially confirmed that the investigation into these two French people had led to their indictment for espionage. However, no further details were given regarding the evidence supporting these accusations. Lawyers for both detainees have reviewed their cases several times, but it remains to be seen what additional information will be released in the coming days.
This case is unfortunately not isolated, as two other French nationals are also detained in Iran. Louis Arnaud, a consultant, was arrested in Tehran in September 2022, while the identity of another French detainee has never been made public. The arrest of these French nationals sparked strong reactions from the international community, which denounced what it considered to be “hostage diplomacy” on the part of Iran.
At the same time, Iran confirmed last Tuesday the detention of a Swede, a European Union diplomat, accused of having “committed crimes” during his tourist stay in the country. However, the Iranian authorities have not specified the nature of these crimes. This is Iran’s first reaction to the announcement of the arrest of the Swedish diplomat in April 2022. This news reinforces the already existing tensions between Iran and Sweden, following the trial in Sweden of an Iranian man convicted for his role in mass executions in the 1980s.
These arrests and accusations of espionage raise concerns about respect for human rights in Iran and the use of these detentions as a means of political or diplomatic pressure. The international community must continue to pressure Iran to guarantee respect for the fundamental rights of these detainees and demand their immediate release.
It is essential to stay informed of developments in this case and to support the families and loved ones of French detainees in order to end their unjust detention and allow them to regain their freedom.