Benjamin Brière and Bernard Phelan, held as hostages, were released

Benjamin Brière and Bernard Phelan are weak and thin, but free, this Friday, May 12. Accused of espionage by the Iranian state, they were released from their prison in the northeast of the country. The 37-year-old French traveler was detained for three years after being arrested while traveling around the world in a van. The Iranian authorities accuse him of having taken drone photos in a natural park, a prohibited area. Blandine, her sister, this evening greets the end of a nightmare. ”It’s a huge fight that ends for us”, she confides.

Five other French still imprisoned

Bernard Phelan, a 64-year-old Franco-Irish passionate about Iran, was traveling as a tour operator consultant when he was arrested in October 2022. Seven months in prison and a hunger strike have damaged his fragile health. His family welcomes his release, but does not wish to comment yet. There are still at least five other French hostages in Iran. These arbitrary arrests have become a political strategy since the mullahs came to power.