Preliminary verdict issued for two French nationals accused of espionage in Iran

The initial ruling for the two defendants, both holding French citizenship and arrested on March 8, 2023 (Esfand 18, 1401), was issued by the presiding judge and officially communicated to their defense attorneys.

According to the verdict, both defendants are French nationals and employees of the French intelligence service. During the preliminary investigation phase, the charges were formally presented to them, and both defendants had access to legal counsel. In addition, they maintained communication with their families, and all procedural notices were delivered to them in writing.

The report further indicates that, during the course of the judicial review, the complete case file was made available twice to the defendants’ appointed lawyers.

According to the indictment, the charges against the two defendants include:

• Espionage in favor of the French intelligence service,
• Conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against national security,
• Intelligence cooperation with the Zionist occupying regime, and
• Complicity in intelligence cooperation with the Zionist occupying regime.

Following the issuance of a 715-page indictment, seven court sessions were held in connection with the case, during which the defendants and their attorneys presented their defenses.

All court sessions were conducted in the presence of the public prosecutor’s representative, the defendants, their appointed attorneys, and an official judicial translator.

After reviewing the case materials, the statements and evidence of witnesses and experts, and upon considering the results of the investigations, the court issued its ruling following the defendants’ final statements and the review of their lawyers’ written defenses.

According to the verdict, one of the defendants was sentenced as follows:

• Six (6) years in prison for espionage in favor of the French intelligence service,
• Five (5) years in prison for conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against national security, and
• Twenty (20) years of imprisonment in exile for intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime, categorized as Moharebeh (waging war against God).

The other defendant was sentenced as follows:

• Ten (10) years in prison for espionage in favor of the French intelligence service,
• Five (5) years in prison for conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against national security, and
• Seventeen (17) years in prison for complicity in intelligence cooperation with the Zionist occupying regime.

The period of the defendants’ pretrial detention will be deducted from their sentences in accordance with the law.

The verdict is subject to appeal before the Supreme Court of Iran within twenty (20) days of official notification.