French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained in Iran since May 2022, were released from Tehran's Evin prison on Tuesday and are now at the French ambassador's residence. This conditional release marks a first step toward their return to France, announced Emmanuel Macron. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised their good health and vowed to continue diplomatic efforts.
Cécile Kohler, a 41-year-old literature teacher, and Jacques Paris, a 72-year-old retired teacher, were arrested on May 7, 2022, on the last day of a tourist trip to Iran where they had come to meet unionists. Accused of espionage on behalf of French and Israeli intelligence services, they were imprisoned in section 209 of Evin prison, reserved for political prisoners, before a transfer in June during the twelve-day war between Israel and Iran. Sentenced in mid-October 2025 to 20 and 17 years in prison respectively, they were the last two French nationals officially detained in Iran.
On November 4, 2025, Emmanuel Macron announced on X their release from prison: 'They have left Evin prison and are on their way to the French Embassy in Tehran.' He welcomed this 'first step' and expressed his 'immense relief,' adding: 'The dialogue continues to allow their return to France as soon as possible.' The two teachers are now 'safe' at the ambassador's residence in southern Tehran, clarified Jean-Noël Barrot, who said he had spoken with their family and dispatched a team on site. Questioned on France 2, the minister stated they 'are doing well, they are relieved and in good physical and moral health' after this 'ordeal,' but dodged any return date, emphasizing that 'we will not relax our efforts to obtain their definitive release.'
Iranian diplomacy confirmed a 'conditional liberty' and release 'on bail,' with surveillance until the next judicial step, according to spokesperson Esmaïl Baghaï. Cécile Kohler's parents expressed 'immense relief,' noting they are 'already in a little piece of France.' The lawyers hailed a 'new day' after 1277 days of 'arbitrary detention,' vowing to ensure 'justice can be rendered.'
This step comes amid potential prisoner exchanges, with Tehran mentioning in September a release in exchange for Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian arrested in France. Less than a month after the release of 19-year-old Franco-German Lennart Monterlos, it has elicited political unanimity in France. In the National Assembly, deputies applauded; Marine Le Pen thanked state services, Yaël Braun-Pivet spoke of 'emotion' after three and a half years, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon rejoiced with a simple 'Finally!' France had denounced 'inhumane' detention conditions amounting to 'torture,' appealing to the International Court of Justice.
