ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that two French nationals, who had been held for over three years in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, have been released and are now on their way to the French embassy in Tehran, with continuing efforts to bring them back to Paris as soon as possible. 

Earlier in October, Iran's judiciary sentenced the two French nationals to 31 and 32 years imprisonment, respectively, on charges of spying for French intelligence, cooperation with Israel, and compromising the country's security.

“Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, held for three years in Iran, have been released from Evin prison and are on their way to the French Embassy in Tehran,” Macron said in a post on X Tuesday.  

He stressed that dialogue with Tehran continues “to enable their return to France as quickly as possible.” 

“These two French nationals, jailed for a long time over national security infractions, have been released on bail by the judge in charge of the case and will be placed under surveillance until the next stage of the judicial proceedings,” Iranian foreign ministry Esmail Baghaei said.

Iranian authorities have repeatedly detained foreign and dual nationals in the country on charges of espionage, a tactic described as “hostage diplomacy” aimed at gaining political leverage abroad.

Kohler and Paris, two French academics, were held in Iranian custody after being detained in 2022 during a trip to the country on charges of spying for Israel, at a time when Iran was witnessing one of its largest nationwide uprisings following the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini in police custody, known as the “Woman, Life, Freedom” (Jin, Jiyan, Azadi) movement.

In May 2022, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry reported detaining two Europeans, alleging they sought to fuel unrest by capitalizing on public grievances. 

State media later aired footage of the two French nationals delivering confessions in custody, saying they had entered Iran to provoke instability, claims rights groups say were likely coerced.

Iran frequently broadcasts televised “confessions,” a practice rights groups have long criticized. 

Activists say these statements are typically extracted under duress, including intimidation, mental pressure, and physical abuse, and are widely seen as forced rather than voluntary.

Last week, Iran released Lennart Monterlos, a 19-year-old dual French/German citizen who was arrested while traveling in the coastal area of Bandar Abbas during the 12-Day War with Israel in June.

Since the 12-Day War with Israel in June, Iran has also hanged several convicts on charges of conspiring with Israeli intelligence.