Tourist Held in Iran Released and Flown to France Following Incarceration
In September 2022, Arnaud found himself arrested in Iran during a trip for a worldwide tour. The Iranian officials alleged that he and other European tourists were involved in demonstrations. While the other Europeans were set free, Arnaud received a sentence of five years in prison in November 2023 on charges of spreading propaganda and posing a threat to national security. The French government voiced their disapproval over the young man's conviction.
Arnaud finally gained his freedom on Wednesday. He underwent a medical examination and subsequently boarded a flight to Oman. From Oman, he caught another plane bound for France.
Upon hearing this news, Arnaud's mother expressed relief. She stated, "We are overjoyed, but our happiness will be complete only when Cecile, Jacques, and Olivier are back home." This comment pertains to the teacher Cecile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris, along with a man known only as Olivier; all French citizens detained in Iran.
In May, the French Foreign Ministry labeled their confinement as "state hostage-taking" and "extortion." Macron urged Tehran on Wednesday to "promptly" liberate these three French citizens.
Arnaud's mother, Sylvie, is referring to the teacher Cecile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris, plus an unnamed individual, Olivier, who are also French nationals imprisoned in Iran.
Read also:
Stéphane Séjourné, a French politician, expressed concern over Arnaud's five-year prison sentence in Iran, citing concerns about freedom of speech and human rights.
During a press conference in Paris, Séjourné called for the immediate release of Arnaud and the other three French citizens detained in Iran: Cecile Kohler, Jacques Paris, and an unknown individual named Olivier.
Séjourné's stance on the Iranian situation echoed that of the French government, which has consistently advocated for the release of all French nationals in Iranian prisons, deeming their detention as "state hostage-taking" and "extortion."
In solidarity with Arnaud's family, Séjourné pledged to work towards resolving the situation with Tehran and ensuring the safe return of all French citizens in Iranian custody.
Following the news of Arnaud's release, Séjourné urged Tehran to respect human rights and release the remaining French citizens, expressing hope that the incidents in Iran serve as a reminder for the importance of upholding international laws and standards.
