French-Irish citizen, Bernard Phelan, has been released from prison in Iran after being held in custody for several months. The Iranian embassy in Ireland has confirmed that his release was the result of diplomatic negotiations between Ireland and Iran.
According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting IRNA news agency, jailed French-Irish citizen Bernard Phelan was released from jail in Iran.
The Iranian embassy in Ireland stated that Phelan’s release was due to amnesty for humanitarian reasons and for showing goodwill in diplomatic relations between Iran and Ireland.
Phelan, who is 64 years old, was arrested by Iranian security forces during his last trip to Iran on October 3, 2022. He was later identified by the Irish Times as being held in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.
Phelan’s sister has previously stated that he was sentenced to six years and six months in prison for allegedly “providing information to another country,” among other charges.