Testimonials The family of Cécile Kohler, a French teacher and trade unionist detained in Iran since May, spoke for the first time
Demonstration in front of the French Embassy in Tehran, in Iran (Archives). — AY-COLLECTION
“It’s why we must not fall for it.” The family and entourage of Cécile Kohler, a French teacher and trade unionist detained in Iran since May, spoke out this Sunday for the first time in Les Latest News from Alsace (DNA), a few days before the creation of a committee of support.
“Are we sure she’s alive when we don’t even know where? is she retained? Their interest is not to kill her and she is surely better treated than the Iranian detainees in material terms, but this treatment is inhuman,” his father, Pascal Kohler, to the regional daily.
No contact
His family, who live in Soultz in the Haut-Rhin, has had no contact with her since her arrest, and no French consular representative has been able to see her, explain the DNA. An “unbearable” for the parents, Pascal and Mireille, who are concerned about “the psychological state” by Cecile. A committee support will be launched. Tuesday at; Strasbourg, Sainte-Cécile day. Noémie Kohler, his sister, will be the spokesperson.
Cécile Kohler, 38, was arrested with another Frenchman, Jacques Paris, while traveling in Iran, a country she had dreamed of visiting “for a long time”.
His relatives decided to speak out publicly after the release in early October by Tehran of a video presented as “confessions”, according to which C&écile Kohler worked for the French secret services. Paris had denounced an “unworthy staging” and evoked for the first time “State hostages”.
”Risks of arbitrary detention”
Le Quai d’ Orsay called, at the beginning of November, the French people passing through Iran to “leave the country as soon as possible given the risks of arbitrary detention to which they are exposed.
Family, friends and colleagues also want to make Cécile Kohler known. Trade unionist in charge of international relations at Force Ouvrière, this graduate of modern letters has chosen to continue to work. teach to “stay in contact with the field, his colleagues and his students”, take up the DNA.
“ ;difficult bitches”
The International Labor Organization (ILO) has called for his release this week “without delay”, as well as that of Jacques Paris, and that they can benefit from “immediate consular assistance” .
Cécile is “devotion incarnate” according to those close to her, a teacher “always willing for classes deemed difficult”, describes Marine, a colleague and friend. “A person with immense zest for life” for Anthony, a former roommate.
Saliha, maintenance agent at Les Pierres Vives high school in Paris. Carrières-sur-Seine in the Yvelines where works C&ecile Kohler, testifies of a “not haughty” who “gave we, cleaners, matter as much as the teachers.