France rejects espionage charges against citizens held in Iran

ISTANBUL

France on Thursday rejected espionage charges against its two citizens held in Iran.

"If the charges mentioned were to be confirmed, we would consider them completely unjustified and unfounded," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said after the French media reported that Iran has charged two French nationals with spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence service.

The Iranian side has not yet commented on the matter.

Barrot also demanded the "immediate release" of Cecile Kohler, a 40-year-old literature teacher, and her companion Jacques Paris, who were arrested on May 7, 2022, during a tourist trip to Iran, according to French media.

They are accused by Iranian authorities of espionage.