Two French nationals have been handed lengthy prison sentences by a court in Iran after being convicted of espionage, Iranian state media reports. The reports do not name the defendants but they are believed to be Cecile Kohler, 40, and her partner Jacques Paris, 72, the only French nationals being held in Iran. They were arrested in May 2022 during a tourist trip. The pair have been found guilty of spying on behalf of both France and Israel, the reports say.
The announcement comes more than a month after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a deal to exchange French detainees for an Iranian woman held in France was nearly complete. Iran has previously stated that Kohler and Paris could be released as part of that agreement.
Another French tourist, Olivier Grondeau, 34, was released by Iran earlier this year after being handed a five-year prison sentence for 'conspiracy against the Islamic republic'.
Iran's judicial news agency Mizan reported that one of the defendants was sentenced to six years in prison for spying for France, five years for conspiracy against national security, and 20 years in exile for 'intelligence co-operation' with Israel. The other received a sentence of 10 years for spying for France, five years for conspiring against national security, and 20 years in exile for being complicit in intelligence co-operation with Israel.
Under Iranian law, jail sentences run concurrently, though it is unclear what 'exile' entails, as some convicts have been sent to remote areas in the past. Mizan also reported that the defendants' pre-trial detention would be deducted from their sentences, and that the verdict could be contested within 20 days.
France has accused Iran of holding Kohler and Paris arbitrarily and of keeping them in inhumane conditions, which Iran denies. Human rights organizations have asserted that tourists and dual nationals are often detained for leverage in diplomatic negotiations, released only when Iran receives something in return.
The release of British nationals Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori in 2022 came after lengthy negotiations resulting in the UK settling a historical debt with Iran.
Kohler and Paris have been suggested as potential candidates for exchange with Mahdieh Esfandiari, held in France since February on charges related to terrorism promotion. Reports indicate that Iran currently detains about 20 Europeans, including a British couple charged with espionage.
Last week, an 18-year-old French-German cyclist, Lennart Monterlos, was acquitted of espionage charges and released."
The announcement comes more than a month after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a deal to exchange French detainees for an Iranian woman held in France was nearly complete. Iran has previously stated that Kohler and Paris could be released as part of that agreement.
Another French tourist, Olivier Grondeau, 34, was released by Iran earlier this year after being handed a five-year prison sentence for 'conspiracy against the Islamic republic'.
Iran's judicial news agency Mizan reported that one of the defendants was sentenced to six years in prison for spying for France, five years for conspiracy against national security, and 20 years in exile for 'intelligence co-operation' with Israel. The other received a sentence of 10 years for spying for France, five years for conspiring against national security, and 20 years in exile for being complicit in intelligence co-operation with Israel.
Under Iranian law, jail sentences run concurrently, though it is unclear what 'exile' entails, as some convicts have been sent to remote areas in the past. Mizan also reported that the defendants' pre-trial detention would be deducted from their sentences, and that the verdict could be contested within 20 days.
France has accused Iran of holding Kohler and Paris arbitrarily and of keeping them in inhumane conditions, which Iran denies. Human rights organizations have asserted that tourists and dual nationals are often detained for leverage in diplomatic negotiations, released only when Iran receives something in return.
The release of British nationals Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori in 2022 came after lengthy negotiations resulting in the UK settling a historical debt with Iran.
Kohler and Paris have been suggested as potential candidates for exchange with Mahdieh Esfandiari, held in France since February on charges related to terrorism promotion. Reports indicate that Iran currently detains about 20 Europeans, including a British couple charged with espionage.
Last week, an 18-year-old French-German cyclist, Lennart Monterlos, was acquitted of espionage charges and released."
