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Teen Dual National Freed From Iran Lands in Paris After Acquittal

His return follows an Iranian court's acquittal on spying charges.

Overview

  • Lennart Monterlos, 19, arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle, where his parents greeted him, and he is receiving standard medical care from the Foreign Ministry.
  • Iran detained the German-French cyclist in June in Hormozgan province, alleging he spied for Israeli intelligence during his long-distance bike trip.
  • An Iranian court cleared him of the espionage charge days ago, and French diplomats accompanied him back to France.
  • France is pressing for the immediate release of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, as Iranian officials signal a possible reciprocal arrangement involving an Iranian scientist jailed in France.
  • President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the outcome, while Western governments and rights groups continue to accuse Iran of practicing hostage diplomacy; Kohler and Paris face spying accusations that could carry the death penalty.