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Iran Sentences Two French Citizens to Long Prison Terms on Espionage Charges

The preliminary verdicts trigger a 20-day appeal window that could complicate ongoing prisoner-swap talks.

A woman walks past posters with the portraits of Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French citizens held in Iran, on the day of support rallies to mark their three-year detention and to demand their release, in front of the National Assembly in Paris, France, May 7, 2025. The slogan reads "Freedom for Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris". REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
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Iran is widely suspected of taking foreign citizens hostage for political ends. EPA
Noemie Kohler said the pair were at the 'end of their tether'

Overview

  • Iran’s judicial outlets reported first-instance convictions on three counts each, with one defendant receiving terms of 6, 5 and 20 years and the other 10, 5 and 17 years.
  • The judiciary said prison terms in Iran typically run concurrently, meaning each would serve the longest single sentence if upheld on appeal.
  • Semi-official Fars identified the pair as Cécile Kohler and Jacques (Chuck) Paris, detained since 2022, while Mizan did not disclose names.
  • The Tehran Revolutionary Court issued the preliminary verdict after closed-door proceedings that rights groups say limit access to evidence.
  • The announcement lands as Iran presses for the release of Mahdieh Esfandiari in France and follows last week’s acquittal and release of Franco-German cyclist Lennart Monterlos.