Two French Citizens Convicted of Espionage and Conspiracy in Iran

An Iranian court has convicted two French citizens of espionage, alleging they spied for France and Israel and conspired against the Islamic Republic. Diplomatic sources and relatives of the convicted individuals have confirmed the verdict.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has labeled the charges as “completely unfounded” and is demanding immediate access to independent legal representation for the detained men. The accusations include “conspiracy to overthrow the regime” and “corruption on earth,” both of which carry the death penalty; however, the current sentence is limited to imprisonment.

The two men have been in custody for over three years, raising concerns among their relatives about their health, especially following a recent Israeli strike on Evin Prison in Tehran, which resulted in numerous casualties. A French diplomat visited the men just before the sentencing, but their exact location remains unknown.