Iran has released two French nationals who were detained there for more than three years, French President Emmanuel Macron has said. Cécile Kohler, 41 and her partner Jacques Paris, 72, have been released from Evin prison, Macron said on Tuesday, with France's foreign minister later confirming they were 'safe' at the embassy in Tehran 'ahead of their final release.' 'I welcome this first step. The dialogue continues to allow for their return to France as quickly as possible,' Macron stated.
The pair, who were arrested in May 2022 during a tourist trip, are believed to be the last French nationals held in Iran.
Last month, they were found guilty of spying on behalf of both France and Israel and were handed lengthy prison sentences, according to Iranian state media reports.
Numerous Europeans have faced similar detentions in Iran in recent years, with France accusing Tehran of state hostage-taking and maintaining its nationals under harsh conditions—accusations which Iran denies.
In a statement to the AFP news agency on Tuesday, the pair's Paris-based legal team said their release had 'ended their arbitrary detention which lasted 1,277 days.' Their families have maintained they are wholly innocent.
Their release follows more than a month after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned that a deal to exchange French detainees for an Iranian woman held in France was nearly complete. It was indicated that Kohler and Paris could be part of this agreement. Mahdieh Esfandiari, who has been in custody in France since February for promoting terrorism on social media, was released conditionally by French authorities last month.
The pair, who were arrested in May 2022 during a tourist trip, are believed to be the last French nationals held in Iran.
Last month, they were found guilty of spying on behalf of both France and Israel and were handed lengthy prison sentences, according to Iranian state media reports.
Numerous Europeans have faced similar detentions in Iran in recent years, with France accusing Tehran of state hostage-taking and maintaining its nationals under harsh conditions—accusations which Iran denies.
In a statement to the AFP news agency on Tuesday, the pair's Paris-based legal team said their release had 'ended their arbitrary detention which lasted 1,277 days.' Their families have maintained they are wholly innocent.
Their release follows more than a month after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned that a deal to exchange French detainees for an Iranian woman held in France was nearly complete. It was indicated that Kohler and Paris could be part of this agreement. Mahdieh Esfandiari, who has been in custody in France since February for promoting terrorism on social media, was released conditionally by French authorities last month.
