France summons Iran's ambassador over 'hostages' held in Tehran

Supporters and relatives of French citizens detained in Iran, Cecile Kohler, Benjamin Briere, Jacques Paris and Fariba Adelkhah, gather in front of the Eiffel Tower, during a rally demanding their release, in Paris, France, January 28, 2023.
Supporters and relatives of French citizens detained in Iran, Cecile Kohler, Benjamin Briere, Jacques Paris and Fariba Adelkhah, gather in front of the Eiffel Tower, during a rally demanding their release, in Paris, France, January 28, 2023.

The French Foreign Ministry says it has summoned the Iranian ambassador over the issue of French nationals who were "hostages of the state of the Islamic republic of Iran."

"Their situation is unbearable, with undignified detention conditions that, for some, constitute torture under international law," the ministry said, adding that French nationals are advised not to travel to Iran.

The Iranian ambassador was summoned three days after the French foreign minister said Iran's future ties and sanctions relief depend on the release of three French citizens detained in the country, with some held in conditions resembling torture.

"The situation of our compatriots held hostage in Iran is simply unacceptable; they have been unjustly detained for several years, in undignified conditions that, for some, fall within the definition of torture under international law," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Tuesday.

Rights groups say three French citizens—Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris, and Louis Arnaud—have been arbitrarily imprisoned without due process, with Kohler and Paris held for over two years.

Arnaud, a banking consultant, was sentenced to five years in prison by an Iranian court in November 2023.

Kohler, a teacher of contemporary French literature, was arbitrarily detained along with her partner Paris during a trip to Iran on charges of “espionage.”

Both Paris and Kohler were subject to inhumane detention conditions including forced false confessions on state TV.