Tehran Accuses Paris of 'Interfering' Over Detained Nationals

This handout picture taken in 2019, courtesy of the family and made available on May 3, 2024, shows Cecile Kohler during her 35 years old birthday party. (Photo by HANDOUT / FAMILY HANDOUT / AFP)
This handout picture taken in 2019, courtesy of the family and made available on May 3, 2024, shows Cecile Kohler during her 35 years old birthday party. (Photo by HANDOUT / FAMILY HANDOUT / AFP)
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Tehran Accuses Paris of 'Interfering' Over Detained Nationals

This handout picture taken in 2019, courtesy of the family and made available on May 3, 2024, shows Cecile Kohler during her 35 years old birthday party. (Photo by HANDOUT / FAMILY HANDOUT / AFP)
This handout picture taken in 2019, courtesy of the family and made available on May 3, 2024, shows Cecile Kohler during her 35 years old birthday party. (Photo by HANDOUT / FAMILY HANDOUT / AFP)

Iran condemned as "interfering" Tuesday a French foreign ministry statement accusing it of "state hostage-taking" and "blackmail" in the detention of four French nationals.

"We strongly condemn such unprofessional, interfering and inappropriate positions while resorting to false references," foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani told state news agency IRNA.

"The people mentioned in the statement of the French foreign ministry were arrested based on solid evidence and witnesses, and the French government is well aware of their crimes."

Teacher Cecile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris were detained in Iran in May 2022. They are accused of seeking to stir up labor unrest, accusations their families vehemently deny.

"France condemns this policy of state hostage-taking and this constant blackmail by the Iranian authorities," the French foreign ministry said in a statement on May 7, calling for the couple's release.

Kanani called on Paris "to avoid resorting to such statements and using words outside of diplomatic decency, which have negative consequences on relations between the two countries."

Kohler and Paris both made televised confessions after their arrest that France described as "forced,” AFP reported.

Two other French citizens are held by Iran -- a man identified only by his first name, Olivier, and Louis Arnaud, a banking consultant who was sentenced to five years in jail on national security charges last year.

The four are among at least a dozen European passport holders in Iranian custody, some of them dual nationals.



Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro Invited to Trump's Inauguration

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro talks with media upon his arrival at Brasilia International Airport, in Brasilia, Brazil November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro talks with media upon his arrival at Brasilia International Airport, in Brasilia, Brazil November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo
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Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro Invited to Trump's Inauguration

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro talks with media upon his arrival at Brasilia International Airport, in Brasilia, Brazil November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro talks with media upon his arrival at Brasilia International Airport, in Brasilia, Brazil November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been invited to the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 and is seeking to obtain the return of his passport, confiscated last year amid a probe into an attempted coup in 2023.

Bolsonaro has been barred from running for political office in Brazil until 2030 and faces criminal charges for allegedly plotting a coup. He denies any wrongdoing.

His passport was retained in February 2024 on the order of a Brazilian Supreme Court judge.

The invitation was confirmed by Bolsonaro on his X account and by his advisor, Fabio Wajngarten, who told Reuters that the former president is willing to go.

On his X account, Bolsonaro expressed his "honor at receiving the invitation". He also said that his lawyer, Paulo Bueno, has already requested Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes release his passport for the trip.

Trump's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.