French Nationals Released from Iranian Prison Return Home

French Nationals Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris Return Home After Three Years in Iranian Prison

Two French nationals, Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, have been released from Evin prison in Iran after serving a sentence of over three years. The pair were detained in 2022 on charges of spying for France and Israel, which France maintained were unfounded.

According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the couple’s release was facilitated through negotiations led by Oman. Macron stated that Kohler and Paris are now returning to France, bringing an end to their prolonged detention.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed that he had spoken with the couple about their desire to return home, describing their emotions as “joy” upon learning of their impending release.

The Iranian government has acknowledged the agreement reached between Tehran and Paris, which included the release of Kohler and Paris in exchange for France’s withdrawal of a complaint against Iran at the International Court of Justice. Additionally, France agreed to release an Iranian student, Mahdieh Esfandiari, who was arrested last year over anti-Israel social media posts.

The development comes as tensions between France and Iran have eased following criticism from France regarding the US-Israeli war on Iran. A French shipping container recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that has been blocked by Iran in response to US-Israel strikes on its territory.

US President Donald Trump had previously threatened to disrupt global energy supplies unless Iran reopened the strait by Wednesday at 00:00 GMT.

Source: Al Jazeera