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.
HRANA News Agency – Reliable sources in Iran have reported that a few groups of prisoners have been executed secretly in the city of Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, from July 23, 2011 to September 22, 2011.Iranian Human Rights Organization has announced that its sources inside the country have reported that at least 19 prisoners were hanged secretly during this time.