Tag: Bernard Phelan

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-Irish Citizen Bernard Phelan Freed from Jail in Iran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bernard Phelan, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

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.

French-Irish National Bernard Phelan Sentenced to 6.5 Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bernard Phelan, Mashhad, Vakilabad

Detained French-Irish Bernard Phelan was sentenced to six years and six months.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Reuters, French-Irish Bernard Phelan was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison.

Quoting Phelan’s sister, the report mentioned “providing information to another country” as one charge against Phelan.

On October 3, 2022, Phelan, 64, was arrested by security forces during his last trip to Iran.

Earlier, The Irish Times revealed that he is jailed in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.