Iran frees two jailed French citizens: Paris

PARIS — Iran on Friday launched two French residents jailed in separate circumstances and they’re each now returning to France, the French overseas minister mentioned.

Bernard Phelan, who additionally holds Irish nationality, and Benjamin Briere had been free of their jail within the northeastern metropolis of Mashhad and are “on their approach to France,” International Minister Catherine Colonna mentioned.

The pair had been amongst some two dozen foreigners jailed in Iran who campaigners see as hostages held in a deliberate technique by Tehran to extract concessions from the West.

Phelan, 64, a Paris-based journey guide, was arrested in October in Mashhad and has been held ever since.

In April, he was jailed for six and a half years on nationwide safety expenses strongly rejected by his household. Phelan’s household had mentioned his well being deteriorated significantly in detention.

Phelan went on a dry starvation strike in January to protest his detention however stopped the motion on the request of his household, who feared he would die.

Briere, 37, was first detained whereas travelling in Iran in Might 2020 and later sentenced to eight years in jail for espionage. He was then acquitted by an appeals court docket however remained in jail in a state of affairs deemed “incomprehensible” by his household.

Held like Phelan within the jail of Vakilabad in Mashhad, Briere additionally went on starvation strikes to protest his situations.

4 extra French residents, described beforehand as “hostages” by the French overseas ministry, are nonetheless being held in jail by Iran.

Colonna mentioned she had spoken earlier Friday to her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian and made clear “France’s dedication to make sure that the opposite French residents nonetheless detained in Iran additionally quickly regain their full freedom.”

The Iranian overseas ministry additionally mentioned the 2 had spoken by phone in regards to the launch of Briere and Phelan, which it described as a “humanitarian motion.” (AFP)