French Unions Demand Immediate Release of Three Hostages from Iranian Prisons

Five French labor unions issued a joint statement calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Cecile Kohler, Jacques Paris, and Olivier Grondin, three citizens of France imprisoned by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The French Democratic Confederation of Labor, General Confederation of Labor, United Confederation of Labor, Solidarity Trade Union Alliance, and National Confederation of Independent Trade Unions noted that it has been 1000 days since Cecile Kohler, a labor activist, and her husband Jacques Paris were detained, and nearly 845 days since Olivier Grondin was arrested by the security forces of the Islamic Republic. They stated that the detainees are held in solitary confinement under 'inhuman conditions.' The unions expressed support for the initiative of the families and relatives of the three prisoners for their release, adding that these 'hostages are gradually dying in silence without us seeing the slightest light at the end of the tunnel.' The labor unions emphasized that the lives of these three French citizens are in danger. Additionally, the French Foreign Ministry previously described the conditions of the three citizens on October 18 as 'unacceptable' and stated that the government would continue its efforts for their immediate release. Pascal Canfin, deputy spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry, stated that Jean-Noël Barrot, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with the families of the three French citizens in Iran and stated that they have been taken 'hostage' by the Iranian government. Ms. Kohler and her husband Jacques Paris have been imprisoned in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic, since their arrest in May 2022. Olivier Grondin, 33 years old, was also arrested a few weeks after the onset of nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police, which became known as the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, in a hotel room in Shiraz, southern Iran. This French writer, poet, and bookseller had traveled to Iran with a tourist group. Mr. Grondin had asked his family to remain silent over the past two years to avoid hindering diplomatic negotiations between Tehran and Paris, but after these efforts reached a deadlock, he requested them to publicize his detention. In a voice message broadcast by Radio France on January 13, he spoke about his situation and accused the Islamic Republic of 'political hostage-taking.' In his voice message, he told French officials that his energy, like that of the other two French prisoners, Cecile Kohler and her husband Jacques Paris, is running out. Olivier Grondin stated in his voice message, 'The court that convicted me had no evidence against me.' Aware that he risks danger by releasing this message, he continued, 'I am innocent; everyone here believes I am innocent.' The health of this French citizen remains very fragile. His relatives have warned that since early December, his condition has been grave and concerning, and he has started taking antidepressants. The French Foreign Ministry described the detention of these French citizens as 'state hostage-taking' and 'continuous extortion' by the Islamic Republic and strongly condemned this action by the Iranian government. Human rights groups believe that the Islamic Republic seeks to gain leverage over other countries by detaining foreign nationals. The Islamic Republic has denied these accusations and claims that the detention of individuals is not used as a diplomatic pressure tactic. However, statements from some released prisoners indicate support for the positions of human rights groups. The French Parliament has called for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be recognized as a terrorist organization. France has urged the European Union to sanction Iranian officials. Louis Arnaud stated that the Islamic Republic treats prisoners like 'animals.' Olivier Grondin, the French 'hostage' of the Islamic Republic, insists on his innocence. France summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest against the government's 'hostage-taking.' France has advised its citizens against traveling to Iran for the 'freedom of hostages.' A French citizen is being tried in the Islamic Revolutionary Court.