Nanterre City Council Awards Posthumous Honorary Citizenship to Cécile Kohler Amid Calls for Release
Nanterre honors Cécile Kohler with posthumous citizenship, calling for her release from Iran.
Key Points
- • Cécile Kohler awarded honorary citizenship posthumously by Nanterre City Council.
- • Unanimous decision made during a meeting on June 23, 2025.
- • Kohler and partner Jacques Paris have been detained in Iran since May 2022.
- • Mayor Raphaël Adam urged the French government to act for their release.
The city council of Nanterre has bestowed posthumous honorary citizenship on Cécile Kohler, a local professor detained in Iran since May 2022. This decision, made unanimously on June 23, 2025, occurred during a council meeting attended by supporters of Kohler, underscoring the international context of her ongoing detention alongside her partner, Jacques Paris. Mayor Raphaël Adam expressed firm solidarity with Kohler’s family and urged the French government to secure the release of both individuals.
Kohler and Paris were arrested during a ten-day trip to Iran, and the Nanterre council's resolution reflects its commitment to advocate for their immediate and unconditional release. Adam called for action from French authorities, emphasizing the city's duty to stand by its citizens in distress. The meeting also highlighted geopolitical issues, addressing the conflict in Gaza and the challenges faced by French officials in visiting Palestinian territories due to restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities. The city's resolution condemned these limitations and echoed calls for peace in the region.
Adam’s remarks highlighted the intertwining of local and international issues, reiterating the importance of diplomatic efforts in these challenging times for French citizens abroad.