Paris Takes Stance on Continued Detention of 2 French Spies in Iran
The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement criticizing Iran’s ongoing detention of two citizens-Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris-accused of espionage, according to a Reuters report cited by webangah News Agency.
The two French nationals have been detained for three years.
A political source in France claimed the espionage allegations against them are baseless.
This follows last year’s statement by Iran’s judiciary spokesperson, who confirmed Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were arrested in May 2022 on charges of spying for foreign entities, conspiring against national security, and acting against the country’s interests. Their indictment was issued on February 22, 2023, and forwarded to Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court.
The development comes as France has unlawfully detained Iranian citizen Mahdieh Esfandiari since March this year.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for iran’s Foreign Ministry, responded to questions about Esfandiari’s case by stating: “it is indeed regrettable that citizens of other countries are arrested in France simply for opposing the Zionist regime’s genocide. This constitutes a violation of freedom of expression and solidarity with the crimes being committed by this regime in Gaza.”
