Three Years of Arbitrary Detention for French Nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris in Iran

Arrest and Charges

• 🇫🇷 French nationals Cécile Kohler, a teacher, and Jacques Paris, a retired maths teacher, were arrested in Iran on May 7, 2022, during their holiday.
• 📺 Their arrest was broadcast on Iranian state TV, and they are accused by Tehran of "espionage".

Harsh Prison Conditions

• ⛓️ They have been held separately in Section 209 of the infamous Evin prison, known for its cruelty and high security.
• 🛏️ Conditions are described as inhumane, with prisoners sleeping on the floor in cells subjected to harsh artificial lighting 24 hours a day.
• ⚖️ They are not allowed an independent lawyer and have very limited, heavily supervised contact with their embassy and families.

Despair and Broader Context

• 😔 Cécile Kohler's sister reported that their morale has significantly declined, and they appear to have lost hope.
• 🤝 While French detainees Lu and Olivier Gondu were released in the past year, the reasons for some detentions continuing while others end are unclear.
• 🗣️ Iran maintains that its judiciary is independent and that such detentions are not arbitrary, a claim contested by their families and the French government.