Macron Announces Release of French Nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris from Iranian Prison
PARIS – November 4, 2025 – In a major diplomatic breakthrough, President Emmanuel Macron announced today that two French citizens, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, have been freed from Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison after three years in detention.
The President shared the news on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Immense relief! Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained for three years in Iran, have left Evin Prison and are on their way to the French Embassy in Tehran.”
He hailed the development as a “first step,” adding, “The dialogue continues to allow their return to France as quickly as possible. We are working on this tirelessly, and I would like to thank our embassy and all state services for their mobilization.”
Cécile Kohler, a teacher, and her partner, Jacques Paris, were arrested in May 2022 while traveling in Iran. Iranian authorities accused them of “spying” and attempting to foment labor unrest, charges vehemently denied by the French government, which had consistently labeled their detention as “state hostage-taking.”
Their case had become a central point of tension and a human rights priority for Paris. The French Foreign Ministry had repeatedly condemned the arbitrary nature of their imprisonment and the lack of due process in their closed-door trial.
The couple’s release from Evin Prison, a facility long criticized by international human rights organizations for its treatment of political prisoners, marks the most significant positive step in Franco-Iranian relations in years. While the precise diplomatic mechanisms that secured their freedom remain undisclosed, the announcement suggests intense, back-channel negotiations have been underway.
The statement from President Macron indicates that while the crucial first hurdle of physical release has been cleared, final arrangements for their safe return to French soil are still in progress. They are now under the protection of the French Embassy in Tehran.
The French public and the families of the detainees have endured a long and anxious wait, with periodic campaigns urging their release. Today’s announcement will be met with widespread relief and anticipation for their final journey home.
The Paris Telegraph will continue to follow this story and provide updates on their return to France.
The Paris Telegraph News Desk
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