Iran releases two French nationals held for 3 years for espionage
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French nationals Cécile Koller and Jacques Paris were released from Iran's Evin Prison after 3 years amid ongoing Iran-France diplomatic negotiations.
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Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran, 2022 (AFP)
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that Iran has released two French citizens who had been held there for over three years.
Macron wrote on the platform X that Cécile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris, who have been held since 2022, “have been released from Evin Prison and are on their way to the French Embassy in Tehran,” emphasizing the long period of their detention and the diplomatic efforts that led to their release.
Soulagement immense !
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 4, 2025
Cécile Kohler et Jacques Paris, détenus depuis trois ans en Iran, sont sortis de la prison d'Evin et sont en route pour l’Ambassade de France à Téhéran.
Je me félicite de cette première étape. Le dialogue se poursuit…
In turn, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced in a statement that there has been a “bail release of two French citizens who were held in Tehran for committing security offenses" as per the decision of the case's judge.
They will remain “under supervision" until the next judicial stage is complete, he added, highlighting the conditions attached to their release and the official stance of the Iranian authorities.
On October 6, both Iran and France indicated that progress had been made in talks aimed at securing the release of two French citizens held in Iran on charges of spying for “Israel”, in exchange for the release of an Iranian national detained in France, reflecting ongoing diplomatic negotiations between the two countries.
The curious case of Cecile and Jacques
Relations between Iran and France have experienced tension in recent years, particularly following the detention of several European nationals in Iran.
Cécile Kohler, a French national and education unionist, and her partner, Jacques Paris, were arrested in 2022, with Iranian authorities stating that the couple had committed acts that threatened national security. The Iranian judiciary reported that the couple were working for the French Intelligence Services and had cooperative ties to "Israel".
Kohler and Paris were held in Evin Prison in Tehran, a facility used to detain individuals facing security-related charges. French officials repeatedly demanded their release, while Iranian officials emphasized the independence of the judiciary. The case unfolded alongside broader geopolitical dynamics and heightened scrutiny of foreign activities in the country.
By late 2023, both governments acknowledged ongoing talks to resolve the issue. Reports suggested that these discussions might involve a possible exchange with an Iranian citizen detained in France. While no formal agreement was announced, the statements marked a shift toward resolving the matter diplomatically.
