Iran Charges Two French Nationals With Spying for Israel; Paris Demands Release

Iran has formally charged French nationals Cécile Kohler, 40, and her partner Jacques Paris, 72, with “espionage for Mossad,” conspiring to overthrow the Islamic Republic and “corruption on earth,” diplomatic and family sources said late Wednesday. The pair, detained since 7 May 2022 at the end of a tourist visit, now face criminal counts that each carry the death penalty under Iranian law.

The indictments deepen a case that has long strained relations between Tehran and Paris. A French diplomat was allowed to see the couple earlier this week, providing the first proof of life since an Israeli airstrike on Evin prison on 23 June, which prompted their transfer to undisclosed facilities.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot rejected the accusations as “totally unfounded” and demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of the two detainees. He warned that any progress on nuclear talks or sanctions relief for Iran would be conditioned on their fate.

European officials have accused Tehran of practising “hostage diplomacy.” According to the detainees’ relatives, Kohler and Paris still lack independent legal counsel and remain in solitary confinement, adding urgency to France’s appeal.