French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained in Iran since May 2022, have been charged with spying for Israel, conspiracy to overthrow the regime, and “corruption on earth”—all carrying the death penalty.

France rejects the charges as baseless.

Their families only recently received proof they were alive after Israeli strikes on Tehran’s Evin prison, France 24 has reported.

Iran is accused of using detained Europeans as bargaining chips, with around 20 believed held in the country, including three recently arrested over the current conflict.

Written by B.C. Begley