Iran charged French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris with spying for Israel’s Mossad, conspiracy to overthrow the regime, and “corruption on earth,” all carrying the death penalty. Detained since May 2022, the couple faces harsh conditions, prompting condemnation from France.
France24 and Reuters have shared the details that the Iranian authorities accused Kohler, 40, and Paris, 72, of espionage for Mossad, conspiracy, and “corruption on earth,” a vague charge often used against political prisoners. Kohler’s sister, Noémie, confirmed the couple saw a judge who upheld the charges but were denied independent lawyers.
Les Français Cécile Kohler et Jacques Paris, détenus en Iran, accusés d'espionnage pour Israël
➡️ https://t.co/FdDwY3qcX1 pic.twitter.com/rGrwbKkYDp
— FRANCE 24 Français (@France24_fr) July 2, 2025A French diplomatic source described the accusations as “completely unfounded,” demanding access to legal proceedings. The charges surfaced after a French diplomat visited the couple, whose location remains unclear following the Evin prison strike.
Kohler and Paris, arrested during a 2022 tourist trip, have been held in Evin prison’s high-security Ward 209, known for torture, per Noémie Kohler. Iran’s 2022 state TV broadcast forced “confessions,” condemned by France as “shameful” and illegal. The couple’s fate was uncertain after Israel’s June 2025 strike on Evin, which killed 79, with some inmates moved to Qarchak prison. France labels them “state hostages,” part of Iran’s alleged strategy to detain 20 Europeans for leverage.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot denounced the charges, demanding immediate release and citing “inhumane” conditions. France filed a case against Iran at the International Court of Justice in May 2025, alleging violations of consular rights. Noémie Kohler urged “humanitarian evacuation” amid regional conflict, including U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
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Iran: Cécile Kohler et Jacques Paris, détenus depuis plus de trois ans, inculpés "d'espionnage" au profit d'Israëlhttps://t.co/6fB0g8X6U4 pic.twitter.com/vxSJHoFkRu
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) July 2, 2025The charges against Kohler and Paris escalate tensions between Iran and the West, reflecting Iran’s pattern of detaining foreigners for diplomatic leverage, as seen in past executions of alleged spies. With death penalties looming, the case raises urgent human rights concerns and impacts France-Iran relations. Amid Middle East conflicts, including Iran’s nuclear setbacks, the couple’s plight underscores the risks of “hostage diplomacy,” resonating globally.
Read: US Bombing of Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site Causes Severe Damage: Iranian FM
