After three years spent behind bars in Iran, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were released this Tuesday, November 4. But who are they and why were they imprisoned?

After 1,277 days behind bars, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris have finally found freedom. On November 4, 2025, the two French nationals, detained since May 2022 in Iran, were released, ending more than three years of incarceration. The Head of State, Emmanuel Macron spoke with them by videoconference on Wednesday morning. But who were they really and how did their lives change in May 2022?

Huge 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.

I welcome this first step. The dialogue continues…

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 4, 2025

Cécile Kohler, a committed teacher

Cécile Kohler was 37 years old at the time of her arrest. Originally from Haut-Rhin, this associate professor of modern literature teaches in a high school in Carrières-sur-Seine, in Yvelines. Passionate about literature, she is fascinated by Persian culture and has long dreamed of traveling to Iran. Those close to her describe her as a person “ dedicated, curious and deeply humanist “. Outside of her life as a teacher, Cécile is union activist within Working Force (FO)where she defends the rights of teachers and the values ​​of public service. She is particularly involved in FNEC FP-FO (National Federation of Education, Culture and Vocational Training Workforce) in international relations, a role which, ironically, would later be used against it by the Iranian authorities.

Jacques Paris, his traveling companion

By his side, Jacques Paris67 years old at the time of the facts, is retired math teacher. He taught throughout his career at the Clemenceau high school in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique), until his retirement in 2010. Also an Agrégé, he shares with Cécile a pronounced taste for literature, art history and poetry.
An amateur sportsman and half-marathon enthusiast, he is described as a discreet, cultured and caring man. More than 30 years separate the two French people, but together they formed a united couple through curiosity and a thirst for discovery. Their common curiosity pushes them to undertake, in spring 2022, a multi-week trip to Iranbut it was without imagining what awaited them.

The arrest of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris

Left at the beginning of May 2022 for what they thought would be a simple cultural and tourist tripCécile Kohler and Jacques Paris travel through several Iranian cities before being arrested, the May 7by the intelligence services. The Iranian authorities accuse them of having met local unionists. They are accused of wanting to foment a destabilizing movement of the country. Tehran quickly presents them as “foreign agents”. The two French people were then transferred to the Evin prisonin Tehran. This prison is known for its very harsh detention conditions. In fact, Cécile spent several months in isolation there, at least three. Calls to family are rare and short, and contact with the outside world is extremely restricted.

Also read: Why was Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi arrested?

A conditional release

The two French people were released from Evin Prison in Tehran this November 4, 2025, but this liberation does not yet mean their return to France. They left their cells to go to the French embassy in Tehran. Now they are placed in parole and under surveillance by the Iranian authorities. This morning of November 5, Emmanuel Macron congratulated himself on the couple’s release. He specifies that this constitutes “ a first step » and intends to obtain a “ full and complete release“. Release which he also requested “as quickly as possible” from his Iranian counterpart.