Tag: Benjamin Briere

French Citizen Benjamin Briere Released from Iranian Prison

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News, Prisoners
Benjamin Briere, Bernard Phelan, Catherine Colonna, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

French citizen Benjamin Briere has been released from prison in Iran. Catherine Colonna, the French foreign minister, attributed the freedom of Briere to diplomatic negotiations between Iran and France.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ISNA News Agency, French citizen Benjamin Briere was released from prison.

Today, Irish-French citizen Bernard Phelan was also released from prison. In a separate statement, Colonna revealed that she spoke with Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian about their release, and Brier and Phelan are on their way back to France.

In May 2020, Briere was arrested by security forces. According to Figaro, he was arrested for flying a small drone in a deserted area in Iran.

On January 25, 2022, after being detained for over 600 days in detention at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad City, Briere was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison for “espionage and propaganda against the regime” by Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad. Two other charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “alcohol drinking” was dismissed by the court. In July of the last year, this verdict was upheld on appeal.

French Tourist Benjamin Briere on Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Benjamin Briere, Blandine Briere, Catherine Colonna, Mashhad, Vakil-Abad Prison

Imprisoned French tourist Benjamin Briere went on a hunger strike to protest against not addressing his issues. He is currently serving his sentence in Vakil-Abad Prison, Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Benjamin Briere went on a hunger strike for the second time during his incarceration.

Informing the public about her brother’s hunger strike, Blandine Briere stated that “It’s the only weapon he has.”

A while ago, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna asked Iranian authorities for the release of “seven French hostages.” She urged Iran to stay in compliance with International laws and stop “arbitrary” arrests.

In May 2020, Briere was arrested by security forces and spent 600 days in pre-trial detention. On January 25, 2022, Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Briere to eight years and eight months in prison for “espionage and propaganda against the regime.” Two other charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “alcohol drinking” was dismissed by the court. In July of this year, this verdict was upheld on appeal.

 

French Tourist’s Sentence Upheld by Court of Appeals

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Benjamin Briere, French Tourist, Ukraine Flight 752, Vakilabad prison

Branch 7 of the Court of Appeals of Khorasan Razavi Province upheld the sentence of French Tourist Benjamin Briere. Initially, Briere was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the prison sentence against Benjamin Briere was upheld on appeal.

Confirming this sentence in an interview with HRANA, Briere’s lawyer, Saeed Dehghan commented that in this verdict, France was considered hostile to Iran and statements such as expressing condolences to the families of the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, which was shot down by the IRGC, was presented as evidence for this conviction. Also, Briere’s information technology background and the possession of more than one hard drive and cell phone were considered by the court as evidence for the conviction.

In January of last year, Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Briere to eight years and eight months in prison on the charges of “espionage” and “propaganda against the regime”. Two other charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “drinking alcohol” were dismissed by the court.

In May 2020, Briere was arrested by security forces and has since been kept in Vakilabad Prison. He has been in pre-trial detention for more than 600 days.

French Tourist Benjamin Briere Sentenced to Eight Years In Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Benjamin Briere, saeed dehghan

On January 25, Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Benjamin Briere to eight years in prison. The court session had been held on January 20.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists,  French tourist Benjamin Briere who is jailed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad City, was sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of “spying” and “propaganda against the regime”. Two other charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “drinking alcohol” were already dismissed by the court.

Briere’s lawyer, Saeed Dehghan, tweeted that “1. Just before the trial, they changed the branch where the court was going to be held, 2. the trial was not public and 3. it was quite obvious that the judge has already taken a position, 3. They mentioned the word “exchange” (apparently referring to a prisoner swap with the French government) which reveals their intention”.

Briere has been in pre-trial detention for almost 600 days.

In late December of 2021, he was denied making a phone call to his family on Christmas night and in protest, went on hunger strike.

In May 2020, Briere was arrested by security forces and has since been jailed in Vakilabad Prison.

According to Dehghan, these charges were based on actions such as taking aerial photos with a remote-controlled helicam and posing questions such as “why is the veil (Hijab) forced in Iran but not other Islamic countries”.

Jailed French Tourist Benjamin Briere Summoned to Appear in Court After 600 Days in Jail

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Benjamin Briere, saeed dehghan

On January 20, the trial of jailed French tourist Benjamin Briere will be held for the first time after 600 days in jail awaiting legal proceedings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Briere is French citizen who has been jailed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad City.

His lawyer, Saeed Dehghan, confirmed that the court session will be held and that his client will defend himself in court against the charges of “spying” and “propaganda against the regime”. Two other charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “alcohol drinking” have already been dismissed by the court.

In May 2020, Briere was arrested by security forces and has since been jailed in Vakilabad Prison.

According to Dehghan, these charges were based on actions such as taking aerial photos with a remote-controlled helicam and posing questions like “why is the veil (Hijab) forced in Iran but not other Islamic countries”.

“Despite so many ambiguities and contradictions in this case, as his lawyer, I have been denied any access to the documents, which is disastrous,” Dehghan told HRANA.

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Imprisoned French Tourist Benjamin Briere On Hunger Strike in Vakilabad Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Benjamin Briere, Mashhad City, saeed dehghan, Vakilabad

French Tourist Benjamin Briere, currently imprisoned in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad City went on hunger strike to protest being deprived of his inalienable right as a prisoner to contact his family on Christmas night.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Briere has been jailed in Vakilabad since May 2020 when he was arrested by security forces.

“What is the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad waiting for in order to proceed Benjamin Briere’s case after 570 days in detention?” his lawyer, Saeed Dehghan, asked on his personal page on social media.

Dehghan was informed about charges of spying and propaganda against the regime against his client. Two other charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “alcohol drinking” had been already dismissed by the court.

Per Briere’s lawyer, actions such as taking aerial photos with a remote-controlled helicam and posing some questions like “why is the veil (Hijab) forced in Iran but not other Islamic countries” were invoked as examples for charges of “spying” and “propaganda against the regime” respectively during in the last court session held in February 2021.

“A report published by Figaro used the word “drone”, while he had just used a normal helicam. This mistranslation brought about some misunderstanding regarding the charges in the media. Additionally, this report wrongly called him a French-Iranian dual citizen, while he is a French citizen,” Dehghan told HRANA.