French Couple Finally Leaves Iran After Extended Detention

Wed Apr 08 2026 06:15:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who were arrested in Iran on espionage charges, have finally returned to France after more than three years of imprisonment. Their release follows ongoing diplomatic negotiations amid heightened tensions in the region.

Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, a French couple, have left Iran after being held on espionage charges for over three years. They were initially arrested in May 2022 during a tourist visit and later sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Their release, which occurred after negotiations facilitated by Oman, marks a significant moment in French-Iranian diplomatic relations. French President Macron expressed relief at their departure, while the couple's family eagerly awaits their return to France.

A French couple who spent more than three years in an Iranian prison on espionage charges are on their way home, French President Emmanuel Macron announced. Cecile Kohler, 41, and Jacques Paris, 72, were arrested during a tourist trip in May 2022 on charges that France called baseless, and held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison.

They were released in November and had been under house arrest at the French embassy in Iran ever since. This is a relief for all of us and obviously for their families, Macron posted on X. He also expressed gratitude to Oman for their mediation efforts.

A French foreign ministry source confirmed that the couple left Iran in a diplomatic convoy on Tuesday morning and had traveled to neighboring Azerbaijan. France's foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, stated that they were free at last and mentioned he had spoken to them via phone. He described their emotional reaction upon learning they would soon be reunited with family.

Paris's daughter, Anne-Laure, expressed anticipation for their return to France: We are waiting for their return to France so we can give them a big hug. In October, an Iranian court sentenced Paris to 17 years and Kohler to 20 years for allegedly spying for France and Israel.

They were released following statements from Iranian officials indicating a deal to exchange detainees, including an Iranian woman imprisoned in France. The French government has not confirmed the specifics of this agreement but emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety of their citizens abroad.

The couple's release comes during an ongoing regional conflict that has seen increased military tensions, highlighting the complexity of diplomatic relations in the area.