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French Couple Marks Three Years in Iranian Detention Under Harsh Conditions

Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, held as 'state hostages' in Iran's Evin Prison, face conditions France deems equivalent to torture as diplomatic efforts for their release intensify.

A French flag flies over the National Assembly in Paris, France, April 18, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
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Overview

  • Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained in Iran since May 2022 on disputed espionage charges, are held in section 209 of Evin Prison under inhumane conditions.
  • France has filed a complaint at the International Court of Justice over their detention, calling it a violation of international law and labeling the couple as 'state hostages.'
  • The detainees are subjected to psychological and physical hardships, including 24-hour lighting, minimal outdoor time, and forced televised 'confessions.'
  • Their families report growing despair, with Kohler's sister describing them as 'at the end of their strength' after three years of incarceration.
  • Franco-Iranian tensions continue to escalate, with France threatening additional sanctions and urging citizens to avoid travel to Iran.