On the big loop, he deploys a banner for Cécile Kohler’s freedom, still hostage in Iran

Marc Hirtz, originally from Soultz, went to the roads of the Tour de France with a banner calling for the release of Cécile Kohler, the teacher held in Iran for more than three years. A small gesture to hear it, but which testifies to a desire to prevent forgetting.

In the bigarry flood of the Tour de France, between the pirate costumes, the wigs and the inflamed signs, it is a more serious place. A parenthesis of reality in this parallel world of the big loop. On the black and white banner, “Liberty for Cécile” takes out the spirit of the ambient boast.

It was Marc Hirtz who decided to use the Tour to display her support for Cécile Kohler, the teacher imprisoned in Iran for over three years. Originally, like her, from Soultz (Haut-Rhin), he naturally had the idea. “My sister was a class friend of Cécile Kohler’s motherrembobine-t-il. I was preparing for the Tour and we thought we could take a banner and support t-shirts. “

This Saturday, July 26, it is already the fifth stage he follows, he who started at Mont Ventoux, the mountain stages offering more visibility than on the dish. His message detonates on the road, to the point that a spectator pointed out to him. “This person came to tell me that we were not doing a policy on the Tour”still strangles the cycling enthusiast, who preferred to cut short the conversation.

If the organization of the Tour actually drives out political messages, Marc, it has not been worried. “LMost people have children and understand why we do this “Pointe Bernard Gsegner, Marc’s brother-in-law, also committed for the release of Cécile Kohler.

Despite this small cover, the de facto representative of the collective calling for the teacher’s release retains the positive, the curiosity of people. His knowledge of German also allowed him to explain to Danish, Swiss and Belgian enthusiasts, which Cécile Kohler lived, considered by France as a hostage of Tehran. “They were aware of the situation, but not of its details, in particular the duration of its detention”, Takes up Marc.

Other spectators, intrigued, ask him for details on the situation and, sometimes, sign the petition calling for the liberation of the French hostage. “On the t-shirt, there is a QR code which leads directly to the petition: I was flashed several times”he smiles.

A small action is warmer in the heart than beautiful words

Bernard Gsegner

Support by Cécile Kohler

Under the greyness, next to the motorhomes, he received the help of his sister and his brother-in-law to hoist the banner, in the secret hope of being filmed by the cameras which retransmate the event. But even if this was the case, there is no question of screaming victory. “My duty will only be accomplished when Cécile is releasedhe takes up, serious. I know that my action is only a drop of water. “

A drop of water, perhaps, but which feeds the source of hope. For Cécile Kohler’s parents, already. “Sometimes a little action is warmer in the heart than beautiful words”wants to believe Bernard Gsegner. For the imprisoned teacher, above all, since her relatives, when they manage to join her, keep her informed of these small gestures. “Cécile’s mom tells her that people are mobilizing, and it helps her, Assures Annick, who gets carried away. There is anger now. We all want it to move, it’s intolerable what’s going on. “

Cécile Kohler has been detained in Iran since May 7, 2022 with her companion Jacques Paris. They were notably charged by Tehran “Espionage on behalf of Mossad” (the Israeli intelligence service) and “Plot in order to reverse power”. Heads of accusation liable to the death penalty. His fate is the subject of close negotiations between France and Iran, in the context of the crisis on Iranian nuclear and the cease-fire concluded with Israel.

Tour de France 2025

Of July 5
au July 27, 2025