A French couple imprisoned in Iran for over three years on espionage charges have been released and are en route to France, marking the end of a prolonged diplomatic ordeal. French President Emmanuel Macron announced their departure, expressing relief for their families and acknowledging mediation efforts by Oman.
Cecile Kohler, 41, and Jacques Paris, 72, were arrested during a tourist trip in May 2022 and held in Tehran's Evin prison. They were convicted in October, with Paris receiving a 17-year sentence and Kohler 20 years for allegedly spying for France and Israel—charges France consistently dismissed as baseless.
After being freed in November, the couple remained under house arrest at the French embassy in Tehran until their release this week. A French foreign ministry source confirmed they left Iran at dawn Tuesday in a diplomatic convoy with the ambassador, traveling to neighboring Azerbaijan.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke with the couple by phone, reporting their "emotion and joy at soon being reunited with their country and their loved ones." Paris's daughter, Anne-Laure Paris, told AFP: "We are waiting for their return to France so we can give them a big hug."
The release appears linked to a broader agreement involving an Iranian woman, Mahdieh Esfandiari, who was convicted in France for glorifying terrorism. Iranian state media reported the couple's freedom was part of a deal that included Esfandiari's full release, though French officials have not confirmed specifics. Barrot highlighted the "long-term work" of foreign ministry teams to secure this outcome.
This development occurs against the backdrop of escalating Middle East tensions, with France and other European nations cautiously navigating the conflict while supporting some U.S. operations. The French government praised its embassy staff in Tehran for ensuring the couple's safety under challenging conditions.