Iran sentences two French nationals to lengthy prison terms on spying charges

An Iranian court has sentenced two French citizens to long prison terms after convicting them of espionage, conspiring against national security, and collaborating with Israel, according to the country’s judiciary.

The Revolutionary Court in Tehran issued its preliminary verdict following months of proceedings involving the two detainees, who were arrested in March 2023, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

Iran’s judiciary said both individuals were employees of the French intelligence service and had access to legal counsel and contact with their families throughout their detention.

According to Iranian state media, prosecutors accused the pair of spying for France’s intelligence agency, plotting to undermine Iran’s security, and sharing information with Israel — charges that both Paris and human rights groups have previously described as politically motivated in similar cases.

The court held seven hearings after issuing a 715-page indictment, with sessions attended by the defendants, their lawyers, a prosecutor’s representative, and an official translator.

One of the defendants was sentenced to six years in prison for espionage, five years for conspiracy against national security, and a further 20 years in exile for alleged intelligence cooperation with Israel.

The second French national was handed 10 years in prison for spying, five years for conspiracy, and 17 years for assisting intelligence collaboration with Israel.

Time spent in detention will be deducted from the sentences, the judiciary added. Both verdicts can be appealed to Iran’s Supreme Court within 20 days.

The French government has not yet commented on the verdict, but previous detentions of foreign nationals in Iran have drawn strong criticism from European countries, which accuse Tehran of using dual and foreign citizens as bargaining chips amid strained diplomatic relations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev