The Latest Breaking News from Cecile Kohler

France denounces 'state hostage-taking' by Iran as couple mark two years in jail

France has accused Iran of employing a policy of state hostage-taking and blackmail as it called for the release of a French couple held in jail for the last two years.

Radio France Internationale · May 8, 2024

Paris Rallies Demand Release of Europeans Imprisoned in Iran

Families and friends of a growing number of Europeans imprisoned in Iran gathered in Paris on Saturday to call for their release. The French government this week denounced the plight of seven French citizens held in Iranian prisons, calling the detentions “unjustifiable and unacceptable.” Iran has detained a number of…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 28, 2023

Iran indicts two French nationals for spying

Iranian authorities accuse the unnamed French citizens of spying and colluding against national security.

Al Jazeera · Jan 3, 2023

Iran Court Confirms Sentence for French Tourist in Spying Case

An Iranian appeals court has confirmed an eight-year, eight-month sentence for jailed French national Benjamin Briere on spying charges, one of his Iranian lawyers, Saeid Dehghan, tweeted on Tuesday. Briere was arrested in Iran in May 2020 after flying a helicam - a remote-controlled mini-helicopter used to obtain aerial or…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jun 29, 2022

HRW Says More Arrests in Iran amid Economic Protests

Iranian authorities have arrested several prominent activists on baseless accusations amid labor union strikes and ongoing protests against rising prices, since May 6, 2022, in dozens of small towns, Human Rights Watch said on Friday. Those arrested include a prominent sociologist and four labor rights defenders. News outlets close to…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 21, 2022

Iran state TV air footage of French couple accused of spying

Iran's state television on Tuesday showed what it described as details of the arrest of two French citizens earlier this month, saying they were spies who had sought to stir up unrest.

Reuters · May 17, 2022

Iran State TV Air Footage of French Couple Accused of Spying

Iran's state television on Tuesday showed what it described as details of the arrest of two French citizens earlier this month, saying they were spies who had sought to stir up unrest. Iran's intelligence ministry had said on May 11 it had arrested two Europeans for allegedly fomenting "insecurity" in…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 17, 2022

Paris demands 'immediate release' of French nationals detained in Iran

France has summoned a senior Iranian diplomat after two of its citizens were detained in Tehran in what Paris said was a baseless arrest – as wider talks on reviving a nuclear deal have reopened, the EU foreign policy chief said on Friday.

Radio France Internationale · May 13, 2022