French 'spy' couple finally out of Iranian prison after 3 years
French President Emmanuel Macron (photo: Getty Images)
Two French citizens were released from an Iranian prison after more than three years behind bars, reports CNN.
The 41-year-old Cécile Kohler and her 72-year-old partner Jacques Paris, who had been accused of espionage, were freed in Iran. French President Emmanuel Macron announced their release on Tuesday, expressing immense relief and thanking everyone involved in securing their freedom.
“I welcome that first step. The dialogue with Iranian authorities is continuing to allow them to return to France as soon as possible,” Macron wrote on X.
Soulagement immense !
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 4, 2025
Cécile Kohler et Jacques Paris, détenus depuis trois ans en Iran, sont sortis de la prison d'Evin et sont en route pour l’Ambassade de France à Téhéran.
Je me félicite de cette première étape. Le dialogue se poursuit…
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that Kohler and Paris are now safe at the French residence in Tehran, where they are awaiting their final return home.
Details of the French citizens’ detention
The couple was arrested in May 2022 while in Iran.
The Islamic Republic’s authorities accused them of espionage and collaborating with Israel. Iranian media reported that the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Kohler and Paris to a total of 63 years in prison on multiple charges. From the start, Paris called the allegations baseless and demanded the immediate release of its citizens.
Relatives of the detainees repeatedly described the harsh conditions of their detention and the emotional state of the couple, who recently had a brief phone call with family.
Western governments have repeatedly accused Iran of using foreign citizens as leverage in political negotiations, though Tehran denies these claims.
The release of Kohler and Paris marks a rare sign of progress in relations between Paris and Tehran, which remain tense over Iran’s nuclear program, human rights violations, and support for Moscow in the war against Ukraine.
On October 13, Hamas released all 20 Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Additionally, the militants handed over four coffins containing the remains of those killed.
On the same day, US President Donald Trump, together with three Middle Eastern leaders, signed a peace agreement regarding the Gaza Strip.
