Highlights: Four French people are still arbitrarily detained in Iran. Their relatives organized a gathering this Saturday, March 23, at Place de la République, in Paris. In total, more than ten Westerners are being held by the Iranian authorities, used as bargaining chips in political negotiations. Most are accused without proof of espionage and political destabilization by the mullahs' government. The gathering, organized in the middle of the Persian New Year, is intended to be a moment of communion for the hostages.

Four French people are still arbitrarily detained in Iran. Their relatives organized a gathering this Saturday, March 23, at Place de la République, in Paris. Not only was it an act of solidarity,…

France: rally in Paris for the release of nationals detained in Iran

Four French people are still arbitrarily detained in Iran. Their relatives organized a gathering this Saturday, March 23, at Place de la République, in Paris. It was not only an act of solidarity, but also an opportunity for these families to remember these detainees in Iran. In total, more than ten Westerners are being held by the Iranian authorities, used as bargaining chips in political negotiations.

Listen - 01:15

Among the demonstrators gathered at Place de la République in Paris on March 23, 2024, a woman carries a sign calling for the release of Jacques Paris, detained in Iran for more than two years. AFP - KIRAN RIDLEY

By: RFI Follow

In the demonstration at Place de la République in Paris,

Adrien-Guillaume Padovan

Louis Arnaud, Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris and a man whose identity is not public: these are the four French people detained by the Iranian regime. It has been 683 days since teacher

Cécile Koehler and her companion, Jacques Paris

, were imprisoned.

In Paris, during a gathering so as not to forget them, the speeches follow one another to music. Among the hundred demonstrators, some naturally came to express their indignation at this blackmail, like Christian Duffy: “

We cannot accept, under any regime whatsoever, that in the name of a religion or a thought or 'a doctrine, we crush and strangle people.

This gathering, organized in the middle of the Persian New Year, is intended to be a moment of communion for the hostages. Most are accused without proof of espionage and political destabilization by the mullahs' government.

All the families are anxious, like the mother of

Louis Arnaud

, detained for 18 months, and for whom this situation is a daily ordeal: "

It's very simple, it's the first idea that we a when waking up. We think about it throughout the day. It’s daily, it’s permanent, it’s a life that has changed.

The people gathered at Place de la République are demanding a more constructive dialogue between Paris and Tehran. The speeches ended with applause. Lawyers for hostage families are considering further action with United Nations human rights bodies.

France: rally in Paris for the release of nationals detained in Iran

France: rally in Paris for the release of nationals detained in Iran

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest