Paris accuses Iran of holding two Frenchmen as “state hostages”

PARIS, Oct. 6 (DPA/EP) –

The French Foreign Ministry on Thursday accused Iran of holding a couple of French citizens arrested in May as “state hostages” and presenting them on state television channels in an unacceptable way.

“This masquerade reveals the contempt for human dignity that characterizes the Iranian authorities,” the French diplomatic portfolio has criticized, according to information collected by the Franceinfo radio station.

In addition, the Foreign Ministry has demanded that Tehran immediately release these two citizens, arrested by the Iranian authorities when they tried to leave the country through the capital’s airport.

Previously, Iranian television has broadcast an alleged statement by the couple in which they admitted to being members of the French intelligence services and having instigated the current protests in the Asian country.

According to the aforementioned television network, both had entered Iran in May with a tourist visa, but had met with members of the Iranian educational community, who later participated in demonstrations.