'Total dehumanisation': French former hostages in Iran give interview

AFP / France 24
by FRANCE24
April 14, 2026
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

French former hostages Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris spoke about their four-year detention in Iran.

AI Summary

French former hostages Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris gave their first television interview since their return from Iran. The pair had been detained in Iran for almost four years on espionage charges. They described their ordeal as "total dehumanisation" and detailed how they maintained hope during their imprisonment. This public account offers insight into the conditions faced by foreign nationals held in Iran.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

No link between release of French pair held in Iran and Mideast war, France says
Global

No link between release of French pair held in Iran and Mideast war, France says

Two French nationals arrived home on Wednesday after Iran allowed them to leave the country following three and a half years in detention, a surprise move that came as Paris sought to distance itself from the war in the region. France 24's Kethevane Gorjestani takes a closer look.

AFP / France 24Apr 8
Greene, Khanna debut unlikely alliance in first joint interview
Politics

Greene, Khanna debut unlikely alliance in first joint interview

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Tuesday debuted their unlikely alliance in a CNN interview. Opposing viewpoints have not deterred their professional relationship in seeking justice for victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or voicing their opposition to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, among other issues, Khanna told…

The HillApr 14
Army survivor says Kuwait post was known target for Iranian drone strike before attack
National Security

Army survivor says Kuwait post was known target for Iranian drone strike before attack

U.S. service members who survived the Iranian attack in Kuwait last month speak out for the first time since the deadly strike. In an exclusive interview with CBS News' Jonah Kaplan, one soldier says the attack was preventable.

CBS NewsApr 9
US intelligence indicates China preparing weapons shipment to Iran, CNN reports - Reuters
Global

US intelligence indicates China preparing weapons shipment to Iran, CNN reports - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwAFBVV95cUxPRkZfMzl0azhYUk1mSTY3dHVqcEpoSWhySS1sdVQwZzFySmNXeWZobzlKYnB2dHVGeVNjb1F0RE1pdjVRQjZxblotcW84Wnk0UDdMdGFqNFJ4TFo5ZGZ1NUhsejItN3VXSFlSeWhWUlM5SEhZTVZGN3UyUHlkUnFlM3NSNEh2ZTlaQ3dGNjlRZVFnOUl0UGxiODFrRUVnMmR3Q3N6aEVONWhOV1d6WHlxVWpPV3F5cG1mcTYxVWdnRlk?oc=5" target="_blank">US intelligence indicates China preparing weapons shipment to Iran, CNN reports</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersApr 11
Iran war diverts US military and attention from Asia ahead of Trump's summit with China's leader - AP News
Global

Iran war diverts US military and attention from Asia ahead of Trump's summit with China's leader - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxQX1JzcTd5anFGZTlFaGw4d3JnOWtHRENFOV8zWkhmdWZYRW5sNGI4c3FfdTRPY1ZRS3BuVVdqTjJDVWltVTVCVS16MzJuU0ZqdzIxY3hsR0lZS2hCaWlXRGYzeDlDRXpvbkgxUWhsYnRHZHR2QVpfZWhTb0k2bGlwaGZUaV9MY1N6Vk5oZFRsWDBGUQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran war diverts US military and attention from Asia ahead of Trump's summit with China's leader</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 12
Tribal gas stations offer a reprieve from high prices during Iran war - AP News
Global

Tribal gas stations offer a reprieve from high prices during Iran war - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxQbXNFU0l2YktpOTVBYkhua0tFYlpGZy1HLWF5WThlYWhjRXpwLXMzQ2tJdGw2VWNvSktrYzBHT1QtbnlhcFVFU1Zzbk82MS1zeThIWTJNNFlIa20xMXZLdDkwTWZPTFN1bkhhNW02eFpmVUJEc1N5OFJ0VlhMdG5XWGk0WlFYTGd3X1hPM1pCQkVrNkVjcXBndVNLaXkwYldBdzM0ZHRWZVR5NnlqTEwxYWJn?oc=5" target="_blank">Tribal gas stations offer a reprieve from high prices during Iran war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 11
Read Next
What led Trump to impose blockade on Iranian ports in Strait of Hormuz?
Global

What led Trump to impose blockade on Iranian ports in Strait of Hormuz?

President Trump's naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz is further raising tensions with Iran's regime. Ian Bremmer, president and founder of the Eurasia Group, joins with analysis.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources