Iran charges two French detainees with spying for Israel - AFP
French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained in Iran since three years ago, have been charged with spying for Israel, AFP reported citing diplomatic and family sources.
French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained in Iran since three years ago, have been charged with spying for Israel, AFP reported citing diplomatic and family sources.
The pair have also been charged with "conspiracy to overthrow the regime and corruption on earth", the report added.
"All we know is that they have seen a judge who confirmed the three charges," Kohler's sister said.
Since the end of the 12-day Israeli campaign on June 24, Iran has executed several individuals and arrested hundreds of others on charges of espionage and collaboration with Israel.
Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were arrested in May 2022 during a tourist trip to Iran. Both were charged with espionage, which they deny. They remain in detention in Tehran.
In May, France filed a case against Iran at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Tehran of unlawfully detaining the two French citizens for three years and violating international law.
“They have been held hostage… detained in appalling conditions that amount to torture,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told France 2 television. He said Iran had denied France’s requests for consular access.
Kohler, a teacher, and Paris, her partner, are the last known French citizens held in Iran. French President Emmanuel Macron has described them as “state hostages.”
France and other European Union members accuse Iran of practicing “hostage diplomacy” — detaining foreigners to pressure Western governments.
Iran denies the accusation. Its officials say the arrests followed legal procedures and reject claims of mistreatment.
