Two years ago today, Cécile Kohler was arrested and imprisoned in Iran with her partner when she came to the country for tourism.
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“It’s a total blur” And “we have no comforting answer to give” to Cécile Kohler, detained in Iran for two years, deplores her sister, Noémie Kohler, guest of France Bleu Alsace Tuesday May 7. The Alsatian was arrested and imprisoned with her companion, as well as two other French people, on May 7, 2022 while she had come to do tourism in the country.
If the mobilization for the teacher from Soultz (Haut-Rhin) does not weaken, her release is not on the agenda. “The last news we had was April 13, it was a very short call that she made to my mother,” says Noémie Kohler. She “says she’s holding on”, but recognizes “It’s very, very hard.” “She asks us if we have any news of his release, unfortunately, we have absolutely no deadline. We have no comforting answer to give”regrets his sister. “We don’t even know if there is a file, we have no information on a possible trial, my sister still has no access to lawyers. It’s a total blur”worries Noémie Kohler at the microphone of France Bleu Alsace.
“His speech is very constrained”
Cécile Kohler’s calls to her family lasted a few minutes, and “take place under close surveillance, so his speech is very constrained. It is more signs of life than real communications”describes Noémie Kohler. “It’s really extremely difficult. We are very, very worried about the repercussions this could have on his physical and mental health.”
Cécile Kohler only received three consular visits, while “normally she should be able to have unhindered access to the consular service, she should be able to call them, she should have regular visits, but for two years she has only had three very short visits and also under close surveillance, continues her sister. We know that the work done by the embassy there is enormous, but unfortunately the conditions of Cécile’s detention remain as horrible as ever and we still have no prospect of release.”.