Iranian intelligence arrests element linked to detained French spies

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Jun 2022 19:32
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Iranian intelligence forces detain a suspect linked to the two spy French nationals while trying to flee the country.

Iranian intelligence arrests element connected to detained French spies

Iranian intelligence forces apprehended a suspect linked to the arrest of two French spies in May.

The detention of a person linked to the espionage operations carried out by the two French nationals in Iran was announced by Iranian intelligence forces in the northwestern province of West Azerbaijan. They apprehended the convict while attempting to flee the country with the help of dissident groups.

The detainee had coordinated the actions of two French spies who sought to cause chaos in the country last month.

Iran announced the detention of two French nationals engaged in espionage and who attempted to foment sedition in the country. The spies are Cécile Kohler, 37, and Jacqeus Paris, 69, who were arrested for attempting to incite chaos and social disorder in Iran during teachers' protests.

The two French nationals entered Iran as tourists on April 28 but turned out to be spies for Western intelligence agencies.

According to the Ministry, the duo attempted to foment instability and social disorder earlier this month when some teachers took to the streets in peaceful protests to demand fair wages and better working conditions.

Two French spies are shown entering Iran and participating in protests in a video released by local media.

In a low-quality audio file, a woman and a man discuss a "battle to gather majority" to create a "revolutionary doc".

The video also includes photos of the French couple visiting activists in Iran who were imprisoned on spying or attempting to cause social disorder charges.

Some photos show the two with teachers' unionists, including Rasoul Bodaqi. According to the video, the French nationals were arrested on suspicion of spying.

In January, another French national, Benjamin Brière, was sentenced to eight years in prison on spying charges after photographing "prohibited areas" with a drone.

In April, the Iranian Intelligence Ministry detained three agents working with the Israeli spy agency Mossad in the Sistan and Balouchestan province of Southeastern Iran.

According to the Intelligence Ministry, the spies were involved in the dissemination of classified information and documents. It went on to say that the three spies were apprehended on a judicial order, without naming their nationalities.